A recent email from Stephen Stewart who works with the Monroe County Iowa Genealogical Group told me about the project of the Dutch non-profit organization whose mission is to give a face to the names of the U.S. WWII soldiers buried in Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands. They asked him for a picture of the Lovilia young man, Donald W. Brown. He sent the photo and then forwarded the information so I could share it on this blog.
Two Lovilia men are honored at Margraten Cemetery in the Netherlands. They are Donald W. Brown and George G. Grimes.
Data on Donald W. Brown follows:
Born Aug. 17, 1918 , Lovilia, Iowa, Monroe County. He enlisted Mar.24, 1941 and was overseas from January 1944 until his death. Age at death, 26. His father: William R. Brown, mother: Viola M. (Robbins) Brown, sister: Dorothy V. Brown, and brothers: Wilford D., Alvia L. Gerald, and Larry D. His rank was private first class and function was cook’s assistant. He was in the 113th Cavalry group in the Headquarters troop. He was killed in action January 4, 1945. He died in the vicinity of Winden and Untermaubach, Germany. He was awarded the Purple Heart. His grave number plot 1, row 1, grave 18 at the American War Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. His brother Wilford served as a staff sergeant in Germany ad his brother Alvia was a Seaman fist class stationed in Charlestown, Rhode Island at the time of Donald’s death.
Data on George G. Grimes follows:
Born Dec. 27, 1915, Cedar Township, Monroe Country, Iowa. His father: Forrest Grimes, mother: Minnie(Kline) Grimes; sisters: Velta W. and Allie, brothers: Peter E., Dale V. and Raymond W. His rank was first lieutenant and his function was navigator. He was in the 67th bomber squadron in the 44th bomber group, heavy. His plane was a B-24D nicknamed,Calaban. Their destination was Emden Germany to bomb an industrial area. He died Dec. 11, 1943 at Wybelsum , four miles west of Emden, Germany. His awards were Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart. He has no grave number as he is listed on the “Wall of the Missing” at the American War Cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands. Sgt. Mason from a bomber the day George died reported the following: ” The B-24D ,piloted by Lt. O’Neill, swung over behind us slightly to the right, and about 5:30 high. They dropped their bombs on the swing. This was just over the target at about 1225 hours, altitude 21,000 feet. The A/C appeared to be hit by flak or bombs from the A/C in the formation above. The right wing came off at #4 engine. The ship went into a spin, caught on fire, and crashed. No parachutes were seen.”
In the one cemetery at Margraten are buried 10,000 American WWII soldiers. This is how those who volunteer to honor them describe it:
“Thousands of white marble crosses and Stars of David, row after row-this is what one sees when overlooking Netherlands American Cemetery in the town of Margraten, the Netherlands. The markers are a testimony to the sacrifices made by many young American men and women for the freedom of Europe during World War II. Through “The Faces of Margraten” project in May 2018 the Dutch will pay special tribute to these service members by decorating thousands of graves and names on the Walls of the Missing with personal photos of these men and women. The project has started a quest to locate more soldier’s photos.
More than 20,000 people came out to view the more than 4,000 photos that were on display in May 2016, when the tribute was held for the second time. “The response that we have had to The Faces of Margraten project has been remarkable,” said Keith Stadler, superintendent of Netherlands American Cemetery. “People feel such a profound connection when they are able to see the faces of these young men and women that it leaves with them an impression that will last a very long time indeed”. Sebastiaan Vonk said, “Even though the war ended 73 years ago, the people of the Netherlands have not forgotten these men and women and the sacrifices that they made for our freedom. We hope that, in the end, we can put a face to the name of each and everyone of our liberators.”
Since 1945, Dutch locals have adopted the graves of the soldiers there. Out of heartfelt respect and gratitude, the grave adopters regularly visit the graves and decorate them with flowers. Many of the grave adopters also continue to correspond with the families of service members back home in the United States, The respect and honor show to their loved ones has been a comfort to many of these families, and the foundation of long-lasting friendships between Dutch and American families.
The photos are another way to make sure that these men and women are not forgotten. But they are also a powerful reminder of the cost of war for younger generations. One visitor stated,” I thought it was incredible to finally see the faces of all these men, making you aware once again that many of these boys are of my own age and fought for our freedom.” Mr. Vonk, age 25, says that ” this makes their sacrifices only more worthwhile. Their stories continue to inspire younger people today to do better in life, to strive towards a better world.”
The Netherlands American Cemetery is one of 26 overseas American military cemeteries managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission which is an agency of the U. S. federal government.
50th Anniversary
Congratulations to Joe and Kathy Welsh who celebrated their 5oth wedding anniversary on April 6th. Best wishes!
Blood Drive in Lovilia April 16
There will be a blood drive at Lovilia Community Building, Monday, April 16th from 3pm to 615pm. If you wish to donate come with your photo ID.
Swiss Steak Dinner April 26th
Lovilia United Methodist church will be serving a swiss steak dinner on April 26th at Lovilia Community Building from 5-7 pm. Dinner for those age 1o or older is $10. Those age 4-9 years is $5. and children 3 and younger eat free. Each carryout meal costs $10.
City Wide Yard Sale May 5
Lovilia city wide yard sales are May 5th starting at 8 a.m. -?
Real Estate Transactions in Lovilia
Russ Chamberlain’s home on F Avenue has been purchased by Tim Findley
The plots where the old hardware store were has been purchased by the city of Lovilia.
The house on F Avenue south of Jerry Knapp’s has been purchased and demolished.
The former Stub Slay house on E Avenue has been purchased by the Troy Parker family from Bussey.
Edward “Geezer” Henderson Obit
Denny Franzen posted on facebook that he had learned of Edward’s death. I could not find the obit so I contacted his sister, Rita. She helped me find the obit and it is four years old but I post it here for those who grew up with him and also had not heard of his passing.
Ed died April 6, 2014 at the age of 67. Ed was born March 15, 1947 in Lovilia, Iowa to Ernest Henderson and Phyllis (McGinn) Henderson. He graduated from Albia High School in 1965 and Drake University in 1969. He served in the U.S. Army from 1969-1971. Ed worked for 37 years prior to his retirement in 2010.
He loved St. Louis Cardinal baseball, Green Bay Packer or Notre Dame football games and Drake basketball games and playing euchre with his family and the Tuesday night buddies.
Ed is survived by his wife of 33 years, Dianne (Waechter) Henderson; his daughters, Susan Henderson of Clive and Beth Henderson of West Des Moines; his sisters: Rita Henderson and DeDe Parts of Altoona, Peggy Graham, and Jackie (Troy) Underwood of Albia; and his grandson, Dacs.
Preceding him in death were his parents, infant sister, and brother, Tommy Joe.
His favorite Irish saying was “May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you’re dead”
May he rest in peace.