I was so happy to learn that the service didn't start until 2pm. Call me lazy if you want but I was still not feeling well that weekend. It is about an hour drive from where we live to the cemetery and I was looking forward to resting up until the moment I had to leave. The only drawback about the whole trip is that the AC in the van went out again that morning. Nick had just taken it in to get fixed two weeks prior to our trip so we are not sure why it went out again. One of the good things about the trip is that a fellow homeschooling mom and her daughter joined us for the festivities; her husband was playing TAPS at the end of the ceremony.
The Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial is home to those soldiers who died in the Battle of the Bulge during WW2. Here is a link to the official website of The Luxembourg American Cemetery that shares the historical details of the Battle of the Bulge and the memorial erected in honor of those who died. There is also a video link so you can see the grounds yourself.
We also learned that General Patton was buried there. From what we learned at the cemetery he wanted to be buried on the same ground as his men. No special burial ceremony or location for him. He was a great American leader who once said, "Battle is the most magnificent competition in which a human being can indulge. It brings out all that is best; it removes all that is base. All men are afraid in battle. The coward is the one who lets his fear overcome his sense of duty. Duty is the essence of manhood."
It's a little late, but I would like to thank those who serve, have served, and sacrificed their lives so that my family and I may live in freedom. God Bless you all!
