The Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial is a place in the United Kingdom that commemorates the United States servicemen and women who died during World War II. It is one of the fourteen permanent American World War II cemetery memorials that have been built in foreign countries by the American Battle Monuments Commission. There are the remains of 3,812 military dead here, as well as 5127 names listed on the wall. The University of Cambridge donated the land in 1943.
This was actually the second time we have visited the cemetery. We visited it before a couple of months ago, and found it to be an interesting experience: we thought about the people who were buried there and their sacrifices. That was my first visit ever to a military cemetery, and also my first visit to a cemetery in general.
Here is a picture and a video that I took today. If you listen carefully in the video, you can hear music from the service playing in the background. Here they are:
The link for this memorial is located at http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ca.php
Wow that is very beautiful. I am LOVING your blog posts. Very interesting to read. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you. :) The cemetery is a thought-provoking and beautiful place to visit normally, but the memorial service certainly added to that.
ReplyDeleteI wish I had been able to attend on that day. I recently visited the cemetery and was very moved by the warm feelings between the two nations, especially regarding the donation of the land from Cambridge and the dedicated (British) staff that worked the visitor center. Thank you for your post.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Josh. The whole event was quiet and respectful: it was certainly a decent experience to be there, as well as an honor to be at the cemetery that day.
ReplyDeleteThis cemetery was more impressive than I ever expected. A true memorial to those who gave their lives so that we can be free. The chapel is adorned with a map on the wall that reflects the union of many countries in a fight for freedom and justice, but what impressed me even more was the long wall leading to the chapel that is fill with the names of those who gave their lives never to be found again, I am truly grateful for their sacrifice!
ReplyDeleteThe wall was definitely very moving, and I am glad their names will forever be remembered, along with those who are buried at the cemetery.
ReplyDeleteMy father served during the war and visited this area a few times. He has passed now but I know he would have been touched and pleased by the beautiful memorial to all those who paid the price for freedom. My thanks to those who are responsible. You have done a noble thing.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kevin, for sharing that and your father's thoughts. Best.
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your post. Though my recent visit to the cemetery and memorial created a somber mood, Americans can take pride in the fact that our involvement in the eastern theatre of the war helped to bring about an ultimate victory and preserve freedom. The grounds are maintained meticulously, portraying the excellence with which our men and women served. As a U.S. citizen, I am grateful to Cambridge University for donating the land for this memorial.
ReplyDeleteI recently visited the area and stopped by the cemetery and memorial on my way into Cambridge. My grandfather, who passed in 1984 and flew D-Day, would have been proud of the grounds and the memorial. The cemetery reminds us all of sacrifice, and the memorial is a testament to the price of freedom.
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