Enter the gates of the Luxembourg American Cemetery and you are on rich green lawns surrounded by acres of woods. White crosses stand in memorial to the soldiers who gave their lives in World War II to defend this area of the world for freedom. The quiet here today is notable. You can stand among the graves, feeling the sun on your face and a light breeze. It’s so peaceful. But it’s a place to remember when chaos reigned. 
Those Who Died in the Battle of the Bulge
The Germans launched their last major offensive of World War II on December 16, 1944. They attacked the Allies along a front that stretched for 45 miles. Their goal was the port of Antwerp. The battle known commonly as the Battle of the Bulge took place here in Luxembourg and in neighboring Belgium. Despite fierce fighting, the Germans were unable to break through Allied lines. Well-known scenes of fighting involved the small town of Bastogne. There, the 101st Airborne held strong against the Germans. The men hunkered in their foxholes in the severe winter of 1944. General George Patton raced his army there and arrived with his tanks to relieve the exhausted soldiers.
The Resting Place of General George S. Patton
Patton then made his headquarters in Luxembourg City. When he was killed in a road accident, his family requested that he be here among the men he served with in the army.
A Tranquil Final Resting Place of Heroes
In all, 5075 Americans killed in the Battle of the Bulge and the push to the Rhine rest in the Luxembourg American Cemetery. One sad statistic is that 22 sets of brothers are here. 
The cemetery’s website describes it beautifully: “The design is a softly curving fan shape consisting of nine sections interspersed with four fountains, majestic trees, and expansive rose and rhododendron beds. It is a befittingly tranquil final resting place for these Americans who gave their all.” 
The Chapel at the Luxembourg American Cemetery
A chapel featuring a stained-glass window showing Army insignias. It provides a sanctuary for those who want to pay tribute to the men and women buried here. 
Outside, two pylons display maps of the Ardennes and Rhineland campaigns of late 1944 and early 1945 on one side. On the other side, names of 371 missing soldiers are inscribed. A visitor center offers information and brochures. You can look up the location of a specific grave, too. 
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21 Comments
We visited Luxembourg but did not get a chance to visit this cemetery – I really enjoyed the post, and the photographs!
That is just beautiful and poignant.
Beautiful post – lest we forget.
We hope to visit the battlefields in France, Luxembourg and Belgium one day – I have a friend who travels there every few years to remember.
Such a poignant post. The shaping of the graves in a curving fan shape is so beautifully worded on their website, thank you for sharing that. Is a hauntingly beautiful photo you captured. Lest We Forget. #feetdotravel
Very moving site
I have only seen one American cemetery and that was at Brookwood in Surrey UK not a long way from where I live. Tere are others in the country I would like to visit sometime. I find it rather sad seeing all those graves of the lost and can’t help thinking itwas shuch a sad loss of life
Thank you for your excellent photos of this cemetery. My Dad fought in the Battle of the Bulge and thankfully survived. War is terrible, and a cemetery shows this so clearly.
It is good that these war graves are well looked after and given the tributes they deserve.
Over 5000 dead and 22 sets of brothers… chilling to think about.
Thank you for sharing at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2018/11/preparing-for-winter.html
Luxembourg is tiny and delightful. Can imagine that Patton wanted to be there where his army was:)
22 brothers – that was a heavy loss for those families. I like that you sit among the crosses (instedd of stand) -giving the idea that you are among them. Thank you Sharon, a very strong side of your blog, that when you are abroad you look for historic events! Many thanks for being a part of All Seasons. A happy thanksgiving to you!
A poignant post with lots of beautiful photos. It is hard to imagine such loss and sorrow for those who lost loved ones ♥
To visit such a cemetery is remembering. That’s important, that’s remarkable of you. Never again war!
Amazing how so much beauty can come from a place once filled with pain and death. I didn’t know Patton is there. Thanks for sharing this treasure
Seems like there is a few of them around. I did the one in Normandy, France. Looks a lot like this one 🙂 #farawayfiles
We visited the Australian memorial in France a few years ago and this post made those memories flood back. It was a beautiful place but also the scene of such tragedy like the cemetery in Luxembourg. So important to remember the futility of war. Thanks for sharing on #FarawayFiles
Very interesting! I didn’t make it to the cemetary when I visited Luxembourg, so thank you for taking me along now!
#WeekendWanderlust
What a moving post, Sharon. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing. I never knew this place existed. It was really nice to learn about it. Your pictures are lovely. #WeekendWanderlust
This is so beautiful and so sad. Tears came into my eyes reading. Your photos really show the tranquility of the place and you’ve written a fitting tribute to the Americans buried there. This is something my dad would have loved to see. #feetdotravel
What an incredible place. The military cemetery in Jerusalem is very similar. So beautifully kept and serene. #WeekendWanderlust
I’ve always felt odd for loving the aesthetics of a cemetery, but it truly the Luxembourg American Cemetery truly is beautiful. I’m often afraid that, once our generation of post-war babies is gone, these places of honor will become infrequently visited landmarks. Hopefully, generations to come will remember…and never let it happen again. Thanks for sharing with us on #WeekendWanderlust!