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| Memorial Day dedication of Suresnes American Cemetery, 1919. |
This idea for the blog was formed quite some time ago and life and other distractions prevented me from launching as I had originally intended. Today is Memorial Day in the United States, a day set aside to remember those who died while serving their country. It seems an especially fitting day to finally begin. One hundred years ago Suresnes American Cemetery was dedicated. Located just outside Paris, it has a beautiful view of the city. The cemetery was established in 1917 by the Graves Registration Service of the Army Quartermaster Corps. A majority of those buried there died of wounds or illness in hospitals located in Paris or at other places casualty clearing sites nearby. Many were victims of the influenza epidemic of 1918–1919.
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| Detail from the chapel mosaic. |
The cemetery was dedicated by President Woodrow Wilson as part of the Memorial Day ceremonies of 1919. The above photo is an original press photo from that event, and the caption on the reverse states "One of the most moving scenes in American war history took place in 1919 on Memorial Day, when President Wilson visited Suresnes cemetery near Paris. Here is a portion of the crowd, gathered on that day, in the American section of the cemetery." Wilson opened his remarks with the statement "No one with a heart in his breast, no American, no lover of humanity, can stand in the presence of these graves without the most profound emotion."
This blog is intended to honor and tell the stories of the women buried in America's overseas cemeteries – 70 in all – whose stories are often overshadowed by generals, battles and other elements of war. Their courage and dedication are as worthy of Wilson's dedication as any of those buried there. Join me as I tell their stories.
