Hannah's Adventures in Europe: Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery

In the afternoon, after we were done with the tour of the Nationaal Bevrijdingsmuseum and our class, a few of us walked over to see the Canadian Cemetery where 3,000 Canadians who died in this area are buried. There are several cemeteries in the area, including (I think) three for Americans, another one for the Canadians, and one for the Germans. This was the only one within walking distance of the museum.

This is the gatepost of the cemetery. It is repeated in Dutch on the other side of the gate. It says:

Groesbeek Canadian War Cemetery 1939-1945
"The land on which this cemetery stands is the gift of the Dutch people for the perpetual resting place of the Sailors, Soldiers, and Airmen who are honored here."

The two buildings on the sides are memorials with the names of people who were lost.

This says:

"These walls bear the names of the soldiers of the British Commonwealth and Empire who fell in the Advance from the River Seine through the Low Countries and into Germany but to whom the fortune of war denied a known grave."

This monument which is at the center of the cemetery says:
"Their name liveth for evermore."

This is the inscription at the top of one of the pavilions of names. It says "Pro amicis mortui amicis vivimus"--"We live on in the hearts of the friends for whom we died."

Most of the gravestones had a name and some inscription. A vast majority (at least of the ones I saw as I walked through in five minutes) had a cross and a Bible verse or some sentiment relating to another life.

I did see one with a Star of David.

I also saw one with nothing at all on it. The quote, which I neglected to write down, was from Rousseau. Rousseau might be good for a lot of things but it seems so sad to have him, only, as your epitaph.

I thought the inscription on this one was interesting considering he was fighting on foreign soil and that Canada had not been attacked. It suggests a different understanding of patriotism than people often think of today (as well as the complexities of imperial relationships). It says "I gave my life for my God and for my country."