| Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial at St. Avold | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| What is There to See? This cemetery holds the remains of 10,489 American military personnel, making it the largest WWII cemetery in Europe. The memorial contains European operation maps and a description of the campaigns in which most of these men (and women) died. A Tablet of the Missing lists the 444 names of personnel whose remains were not recovered.The perfectly maintained grounds and knowledgeable staff add to the dignity of this solemn spot. Lorraine American Cemetery is the closest location to the KMC for Memorial Day or Veterans Day ceremonies - a moving experience which can't be described in words. How Long Does it Take? St. Avold is 84 kilometers straight west of Landstuhl, with travel time around an hour. Most visitors spend at least an hour at the site depending on their interest. Arrive at least 30-60 minutes early for special events such as Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. The entire trip can be done in a half-day. What Else Do I Need to Know? Most of the graves in the cemetery contain casualties from the Metz area, as strong German forces were pushed toward the Rhine in the winter/spring of 1944/45. Bring Euro change for the short stretch of toll road in France, and note the opening hours 0900-1700 except Christmas and New Years Day. The American Battle Monuments Commission has an excellent website for more information and a brief video on the link below. There are restrooms at the cemetery; food service is available in nearby St. Avold. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: |
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| LOOK! Individual or group tours of the cemetery, Maginot line, & Metz-area battlefields - info and/or arrangements provided by Lorraine cemetery personnel | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/lo.php | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Directions and map to Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Newsweek "My Turn" article from 29 May 2006 about the European WWII cemeteries | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| RECOMMENDED READING: Safely Rest by David P. Colley. An personal, readable account of post-WWII efforts to repatriate the remains of European casualties. |
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