Saturday 19 March 2011

Madingley American Cemetery

Today we met up with my son's Tiger troop which joined the neighborhood Boy Scout troop for some community service at the American Madingley Cemetery which is a World War II cemetery. The 3 or 4 acres of the cemetery is official American ground given to the Americans after the war by Cambridge University. While there are several American cemeteries in Europe this is the only one in England.

The boys were first given a tour of the cemetery, first we were shown the wall of the missing. There are over 8000 names listed on this wall. Glen Miller and Joseph Kennedy are listed on this wall.

The wall as well of as the grave markers are all made from white marble quarried in Italy.









There is one Medal of Honor listed on the wall. His name is Leon Vance Jr . After surviving an horrific airplane crash and losing his foot, he was being sent home to recuperate when his plane went missing.






While walking around the cemetery it was pointed out the many different grave markings.

Most of the grave markings are of the Latin cross but interspersed there are a few star of Davids.


There are also 24 unknown graves. With the grave inscription of "Here rests in Honored Glory A COMRADE IN ARMS Known only to GOD"

We were also told there were 18 women buried here most were nurses during the war.




While showing the kids the markers the guide also had pictures of the men he was talking about. His point was to show the boys that these men had wives, children, hopes and dreams before going off to war and sacrificed their lives so that the rest of us could live free. I found this very moving.








Each of their stories were unique and showed courage and bravery. The pictures show the men at home and with their families. The cemetery received these pictures from families and there is a huge office on the grounds which files and stores these stories so that they can be told to visitors.



The man on the horse fought in WWI and also in WWII. He was a wealthy man who won an Olympic medal in Polo in 1928. He died while doing a test flight for a new aircraft.





After the tour we were given buckets and brushes and we set off to scrub the graves. Cleaning the stones of dirt and bird droppings.
















All the boys pose after completing an hour of cleaning. I thought the boys behaved very well and were very respectful of this site. It truly was an honor to do this service.

10 comments:

  1. Wow! What a great experience. It looks like you all had a great day! I love the idea of the guide telling the stories of those who had died, and making sue to remind everyone that they were just like us, with families. Great field trip! Thanks for sharing.

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  2. Wow!!! What a great experience. Very informational also. A wonderful reminder of all the sacrifice that is experienced during war.

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  3. This looks like a wonderful and inspiring trip! It must have been very moving and touching to hear about men and women who sacrificed so much and left their families behind! When I hear stories from the past like this, it makes me realize how very short our life here on earth is and how important it is to make the most of it :) This was a great post and very informative! I don't know how you remember all the facts from all the field trips you take, but I enjoy reading all that you learned! Also, I think being able to clean grave stones is a wonderful way to show respect for so many! Clicked a vote for you! Hope you had a great Saturday!

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  4. This sounds like a wonderful field trip/service project. How memorable!

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  5. Really moving post Anna-Marie. My son and I enjoy reading and hearing stories about men who served, and it is wonderful you were able to have a hands-on experience. Thank you for sharing your day, and thank your son and daughter for the blessing they were for helping to clean the markers.

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  6. Hi Kimberly,
    It was a great day, I am told the BS go 2X a year to clean the grave stones. We will be going again:)

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  7. Hi Renita,
    It was a beautiful day and hearing the stories was really inspiring.

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  8. Hi Tracy,
    You are so kind. I wished I remember more of the details as the guide told us stories of 4 brave men and I could only remember two. It was a truly humbling day and since my husband is working non stop right now to aid the troubles of the world crisis it made me realize that not having him home on weekend is a very small sacrifice compared to what these men did

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  9. Thank you Lynda,
    The kids did very well at working although they were tired after an hour. The troop was able to clean 3/4 of the graves in the allotted time. The troop goes back every year so I expect we will go again:) and will be honored to do so I might add.

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  10. Friendly and quick. For a person who hated going to the dentist I am not dreading my next cleaning!
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