The Faces of Margraten
Rows, endless rows of white marble crosses and Stars of David. That is what you see when you walk into the American cemetery in Margraten. A total of nearly 8,300 American soldiers are buried beneath these crosses and Stars of David. Another 1,722 names are listed on the Walls of the Missing, only a few of whom were later found. We know their names, but who were they? Who was the person behind the name? During the tribute The Faces of Margraten, they are literally given a face when photographs of the soldiers are placed next to the graves and names on the Walls of the Missing. An encounter with our liberators.
8.700 faces have been found so far.
Give them a face!
8.700 soldiers have now been given a face. All these faces can be found in our digital memorial. Unfortunately, this also means that we still do not know who is behind the names on the crosses, the Stars of David or the Walls of the Missing for almost 1.100 soldiers. We will continue to search for these missing faces, hopefully with your help! Click on the button below to receive a list containing the name, serial number and information about the place of residence.
Stories from Margraten
Behind every stone or Star of David, behind every name, there is a story. To mark 75 years of liberation, the tribute, together with WalburgPers, published the book De Gezichten van Margraten: Zij bleven voor altijd jong (The Faces of Margraten: They Remained Forever Young). Arie-Jan van Hees, Jori Videc and Sebastiaan Vonk highlight some remarkable stories and talk about the research that brought them to light.
Previous editions
Frequently Asked Questions
Due to the global pandemic caused by COVID-19, we had to cancel the tribute both in 2020 and in 2021. We do not yet know when the faces will return to the cemetery.
First, it takes an enormous amount of time and resources to host such an event and the volunteers that work so hard to make the event such a success have difficulties taking so much time off from their primary jobs. Second, and perhaps more important, this event is a very emotional one that touches the hearts of thousands of people. We believe that by having this event not more than every other year will help to ensure that the emotional impact that it creates will remain strong by not becoming so routine.
The photographs and the stands that they are placed in create obstacles that prevent the cemetery staff from maintaining the cemetery to the high standards that are expected of such a site.
No. The headstones are sacred markers that honor specific soldiers. Their design has been carefully considered and they have become a part of U.S. national heritage and therefore will not be altered.
Memorial Day is one of the busiest days of the year at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. The wreath laying ceremony, the flags that adorn each headstone, the fly-over, and other activities that take place on this day, while all very important, would detract from the emotional impact that the photos have when viewed during a more exclusive time period.
You can easily submit a photo through our website.
Yes. All photos are permanently included on the soldiers’ personal memorial pages in our virtual memorial.