By Holly DeCarlo-White
USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs Office
About 60 personnel of all branches of service; Navy, Army, Marines and Air Force from U.S. Army Garrison Stuttgart participated in a beautification project at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, May 7, led by the Stuttgart Petty Officers Association and the Stuttgart Chief Petty Officers Association with support from the Stuttgart Community Spouses Club.
The cemetery, established Dec. 29, 1944, consists of more than 50 acres of lawn surrounded by woods. It is a tranquil final resting place for the 5,076 American service members who lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge and in the advance to the Rhine River.
Personnel gave their time to help keep the cemetery grounds clean by trimming and cleaning around the headstones, showing their respect honor and appreciation to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation and their nation’s allies.
Throughout the day, the group also took the opportunity to learn more of the history during a narration from the grounds Superintendent Scott Desjardins, who has an in-depth knowledge of both, the history and importance of honoring the fallen.
View a past interview with Desjardins here.
The 609th Quartermaster Company of the U.S. Third Army founded the cemetery while Allied Forces were stemming the enemy’s desperate Ardennes Offensive, one of the critical battles of World War II. The city of Luxembourg served as headquarters for Gen. George S. Patton’s U.S. Third Army. Gen. Patton is now buried there.
About the Stuttgart Petty Officers Association
The intent of the Stuttgart Petty Officers Association is to strengthen the camaraderie within the Stuttgart Navy community and Stuttgart military and civilian community by giving back through participation in charitable events, hosting fundraisers, and by providing personal and professional training to Sailors.
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