55 pages • 1 hour read
Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and A Forever Promise Forged in World War II
A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Prologue-Part 1Chapter Summaries & Analyses
Content Warning: This section of the guide includes discussion of racism, graphic violence, and death.
Part 1: “Freedom Lost”
Prologue Summary: “A Journey of Discovery and Gratitude”
The Prologue introduces the Netherlands American Cemetery at Margraten, where more than 8,200 American WWII service members are buried. The section recounts the cemetery’s creation, the racial diversity of those laid to rest, and the Dutch citizens who have adopted the graves. It presents the cemetery as a sacred space of remembrance and introduces the book’s mission: to honor these individuals and explore the cost of freedom.
Part 1, Chapter 1 Summary: “It’s War!”
Chapter 1 recounts the German invasion of the Netherlands on May 10, 1940, through the eyes of Emilie Michiels van Kessenich, the mayor’s wife in Maastricht. The chapter describes the fear, chaos, and swift collapse of Dutch defenses as Nazi forces blitz into the city. Families huddle in basements, bridges are blown, hospitals overflow, and resistance crumbles. Though outmatched, the Dutch endure the initial invasion with courage, dignity, and a deep sense of foreboding.
Part 1, Chapter 2 Summary: “Rising Stars”
This chapter traces the early military career of Lieutenant Robert Cole, a promising young officer serving under Dwight D. Eisenhower at Fort Lewis in 1940. Eisenhower and Cole are kindred spirits—demanding, tireless, and forward-thinking. Cole eventually volunteers for the Army’s first parachute unit, seeking greater challenge and risk, with the support of his wife Allie Mae.
