Margraten Visit - Santa Cruz, CA - CycleBlaze

May 29, 2025

Margraten Visit

Thursday was a very special day. I traveled on the train from Amsterdam to Maastricht to visit the grave of my Uncle. I am the second person in the family to visit since he was interred in  1944. 

The best thing was the history of the cemetery, coupled with traditions. I was also fortunate enough to meet the couple who adopted his grave. They live in Maastricht and were kind enough to rearrange their plans to meet ! 

Here’s some photos from my visit!

Removing the freshly placed flowers first for the name enhancement.
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Tom FlournoyI'm surprised you are only the 2nd person to visit since 1944. I've been visiting Tom's grave almost every day (I only live about 2 miles away) and reading a chapter from his first tour. I plan to go through all of them one-by-one. I have a lot of material for many days!

So nice of that couple to adopt his grave.

-Mark
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4 weeks ago
Karen PoretTo Tom FlournoyWell.. as it is in Europe, unless you’re visiting, then this is the reason no one in my family ( to my knowledge) has been there.
I am returning to Margraten in September, 2026… by bicycle!
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4 weeks ago
Tom FlournoyTo Karen PoretA bit chilly for me, but it'll be warm when you're biking. -Mark
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4 weeks ago
Joy is placing dirt/ sand ( originally from the beach on Normandy, France) on the name.
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Kneeling at Charles grave was overwhelming for me.
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Steve Miller/GrampiesLovely that you were able to visit. It always brings me to tears to think of how young all those boys, for really most of them were just that, were.
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2 months ago
Karen PoretThank you, Grampies! I am still in awe of this day.
Back on 🚲 later! More photos from another ride yet to come!
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2 months ago
Rachael AndersonWhat a touching experience.
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2 months ago
Entering the front office for the walk to reception room.
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Joy is accepting the book my second cousin made with family members who were in Charles life.
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Statement of honor .
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Entrance to the cemetery.
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At the crossroads in front of the cemetery.
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Ride, walk, or bike in!
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Rate this entry's writing Heart 10
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Scott AndersonWhat a special experience this must have been for you, Karen. We've biked past so many cemeteries like this now - all of them mesmerizing scenes, stupefying expanses of glistening white crosses on a field of green. No one in either of our families served overseas though so we don't have a known personal connection. I can only imagine what emotions that must invoke.
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2 months ago
Lyle McLeodVery touching. Thank you for sharing.
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2 months ago