Margraten Kids of the 100th By Adrian Caldwell
Splasher Six, Spring 2006, Vol. 37, No. 1
Cindy Goodman, Editor
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October 2005 in Pittsburgh, PA was a reunion of famous "Greatest
Generationers" but also a reunion of three "Second Generationers"
with a common bond to the Netherlands American Cemetery and
Memorial in Margraten, Holland.
Adrian Caldwell, daughter of S/Sgt. Leroy E. Leist, 418th
Squadron MIA 4 February 1944, Ron Lucas, son of s/Sgt. Joseph A.
Lucas, 349th Squadron, MIA 5 August, 1944 and Frank McDermott,
nephew of Casimer J. Kobis, 351st. Squadron, MIA 11 December
1943 had a reunion of their own. Sharing the commo9nd bond of a
loved one listed to this day as Missing in Action, these three
friends renewed a friendship that spans the United States.
Adrian came from Tupelo, Mississippi, Ron from Kansas City,
Kansas and Frank traveled from Boston, Massachusetts.
We had all met for the first time at the 100th Bomb Group
Reunion in Omaha, Nebraska six years ago. It was a shocking for
each of us to discover that we all had our loved ones
memorialized at the beautiful Netherlands American Cemetery in
Holland. May, 2004, Adrian and Robert Caldwell were in Holland
to attend the Memorial Day Services at the Netherlands American
Cemetery when they received a phone call at their hotel in
Maastricht that Frank and Joan McDermott had persuaded their
tour bus driver to make an off-schedule stop at the Cemetery. It
was exciting for them to be there to welcome the bus and share,
with Frank, the sight of his uncle’s name on the Wall of the
Missing. It was a very emotional moment for all of them. They
shared the honor of visiting Ron Lucas’ father’s name just a few
rows below Adrian’s father’s name on the same Wall of the
Missing.
The Cemetery is breath taking in its beauty and peacefulness. As
one enters the cemetery, they are immediately taken with the
beauty of the rolling Dutch countryside. Climbing the steps you
are faced with the view of a long reflecting pool leading to the
base of a 26-foot tall bronze statue of "A Grieving Mother." Her
head is bent in sorrow. On her shoulder are three doves in
flight representing peace and at her feet is a burned tree stump
with new growth representing new life. Bordering each side of
this reflecting pool and statue are the two granite Walls of the
Missing. Listed there are 1, 753 names of brave young men whose
graves are known only to God.
As you walk between the Walls of the Missing and around the
statue and Memorial Tower, you are taken to your knees with the
view of 8,301 gleaming white crosses and Stars of David against
a background of sparkling green grass meticulously manicured.
Many of the graves bear beautiful fresh Dutch flowers placed
there by Dutch families who have adopted the graves of the men
buried at Margraten. The graves of the men have been adopted
since the first Memorial Day in 1945 and this tradition is
passed down from generation to generation. The Dutch do not want
their children or grandchildren to forget the sacrifices made by
Americans for their liberation. It is touching to view one
family of three generations, a grey-haired lady, her daughter
and two grandchildren all entering the cemetery, each carrying a
bouquet of flowers to be placed on graves. As they place the
flowers, they bow their heads and whisper a prayer for the
soldier buried there.
Adrian, Ron and Frank all share a special place in their hearts
for the men of the 100th Bomb Group. It is truly an honor for us
to not only meet one another again at the reunions, but to just
walk among the men of the famous, "Bloody Hundredth."
We wish each of you good health and happiness as we look forward
to the next meeting of the 100th Bomb Group Reunion in
Nashville, TN in 2007.
Adrian Caldwell
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