Community remembers American children

  • Published
  • German American and International Women's ClubKaiserslautern
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  The German American and International Women's Club Kaiserslautern invites the German and American community to the blessing of the American children's graves at the Kaiserslautern main cemetery (Waldfriedhof) behind Daenner Chapel. The annual ceremony will take place 9:30 a.m. on May 14.

Every year, the GAIWC and the Ramstein Area Chiefs Association conduct this memorial to remember the deaths and funerals of American children. In years past, a transfer to the United States was not possible so children of service members were buried here. Most of these families left Germany after service over here was completed.

The kindergraves have been maintained and financed by the GAIWC since 1965. This year, the women's club will extend the existing occupancy contract by 25 years. The care of the children's graves is a symbol of German-American friendship and an honor for the women's club which has maintained the kindergraves for more than 40 years.

Each year, several American families attend the ceremony and establish new personal contacts after a long time.  The care of the graves is important because it enables American nationals traveling from the states to the cemetery after all these years to more easily bear the painful loss of a child far from home. The families are able to take part in the ceremony held to mourn the untimely death of their children and to be assured that the resting place is well looked after.

For general club information, visit www.GAIWC.com or http://www.kaiserslautern-kindergraves.org.