Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and A Forever Promise Forged in World War II

The Adopt-A-Grave program, which originated in the Netherlands shortly after World War II, is a civilian initiative to maintain and honor the graves of American soldiers buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. Sparked by Joseph van Laar’s personal promise to care for one soldier’s grave, the program quickly evolved into a region-wide act of gratitude. It plays a central role in Remember Us, demonstrating the lasting bonds formed between Dutch citizens and the families of fallen American soldiers. As it evolves, the program becomes an enduring cross-cultural act of remembrance and moral responsibility.

The Battle of the Bulge was a surprise German offensive launched in December 1944 through the Ardennes region, and it marked one of the final and most decisive campaigns on the Western Front. In Remember Us, the battle looms large, particularly in chapters recounting the suffering of Black quartermaster units like the 960th, who were abruptly transferred to frontline support roles. The chaos and scale of the offensive reveal the vulnerability of support troops, the persistence of racial injustice, and the staggering cost of war in both human and moral terms.