5 Interesting Facts About Memorial Day

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Monday, May 29, 2017

5. Adopting American Graves

The Netherlands American Cemetery where 8,301 American soldiers who were killed in Europe during World War II are buried. Every grave has been adopted by a Dutch family, many for 70 years, and there is a waiting list to become an adoptee of a soldier's grave or name on the Wall of the Missing, Margraten, May 28, 2017. | (Photo: Jan Fredrix/Netherlands American Cemetery/Facebook)

Memorial Day is not just observed in the United States, but also in the Netherlands where large numbers of American soldiers were laid to rest after being killed during World War II.

An organization oversees and cares for the over 8,301 graves of American soldiers who fought to liberate the Low Countries from German occupation.

"The Foundation for Adopting Graves at the American Cemetery in Margraten offers the opportunity of adopting a grave of a fallen liberator or a name on the Walls of the Missing," noted the organization's website.

"The foundation also maintains the so-called Adoption Register, an extensive database with information about adopters and the graves they've adopted."

Their work in preserving the graves has garnered much praise. As The Washington Post put it, "Americans gave their lives to defeat the Nazis. The Dutch have never forgotten."