38page

36 www.army.mil/publications Mrozek felt a powerful quiet as he passed the headstones that represented every state in the union, the District of Columbia, England, Canada and Mexico. The stillness intensified when he reached the 106 graves belonging to the unknowns and the 40 instances where two “brothers” lie side by side. Each headstone provides rank, name, unit, state of origin and the Sol- dier’s date of death. Just simple facts, but all Mrozek needed to identify with the fallen GIs in a small way. Then, a chance look at the Regis- trar Roll in the Visitor’s Building that stores information about the Soldiers in the Netherlands Cemetery presented a startling revelation. “Private 1st Class, Paul G. Stin- son. Plot K, Row 1, Grave number 15,” read Mrozek eagerly. “Company most incredible experience I’ve ever had,” grinned Mrozek, reliving the moment. A carillon atop the 101-foot memorial tower chimed “God Bless America” and “America the Beautiful” the day Mrozek arrived at the Neth- erlands Cemetery. He paused to look at the left and right walls where the names of the significant battles fought were commemorated: MAASTRICT*EINDHOVEN*N IJMEGEN*ARNHEM*JULICH*LI NNIC* GEILENKIRCHEN*KREFELD* VENLO*RHIENBERG*COLOGNE* WESEL*RUHR Examining the Court of Honor, Mrozek discovered 1,722 names with rank, organization and state of origin; men killed in action in the region, but whose remains were never individually identified. Above the names, this mes- sage was carved: HERE ARE RECORDED THE NAMES OF AMERICANS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THEIR SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY AND WHO SLEEP IN UNKNOWN GRAVES A chilly breeze accompanied Mrozek to the entrance of the burial site. Just beyond were the 8,302 Sol- diers who had given their lives, mostly in the airborne, ground and air opera- tions to liberate eastern Holland and advance into Germany over the Roer and Rhine rivers. He silently praised the mixture of Stars of David for the Jewish faith and Latin crosses for the others, arranged in parallel arcs that stretched over 65 acres. 36 www.army.mil/publications Sgt. 1st Class Steve Mrozek visits Pvt. Paul Stinson’s grave at the Netherlands American Military Cemetery. Mrozek became interested in learning about Stinson when he acquired the Soldier’s helmet several years ago. (Photo by Renita Foster)