In brief
Lisa and Guido Meijers, a Dutch couple, have adopted the grave marker of American WWII soldier William "W.D." West Jr., honoring his memory through regular visits with flowers. Their connection to West's sister, June Brandt, highlights the emotional ties created by a new initiative aimed at bridging American families with Dutch caretakers of U.S. service members' memorials. The Forever Promise Project aims to foster these relationships, acknowledging the sacrifices made during the war and ensuring that the memories of the fallen are cherished.
DALLAS (AP) — For June West Brandt, the memory of her older brother, who was killed in World War II, has always been cherished. Recently, her joy amplified upon discovering that a Dutch couple, Lisa and Guido Meijers, regularly visit his memorial at a Netherlands cemetery. This initiative is part of a new project called the Forever Promise Project, aimed at connecting families of U.S. servicemen with their Dutch adopters. Brandt expressed her gratitude and happiness knowing there are people honoring her brother's memory.“It's wonderful for me to know that someone is there,” said the 93-year-old from Texas. The project, inspired by Robert Edsel, creator of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, aims to solidify the bond between the families and their adopters at the Netherlands American Cemetery, where about 8,300 service members are interred and 1,700 are memorialized.Despite all markers having adopters, only a small percentage have established contact with the families of the fallen. The Meijerses, who adopted West's marker a few years back, have deepened their understanding of him through conversations with Brandt. Learning about his creative spirit as a painter and pianist has reshaped how they remember him.The cemetery stands as a major reminder of World War II in the Netherlands, which was liberated by Allied forces in 1944. The couple’s commitment to visit West’s marker monthly and decorate it with flowers highlights the emotional weight carried through this adoption program. As interest grows, the waitlist for adopting graves increases, showcasing a strong connection between Dutch citizens and American history.
