Dutch Initiative Connects Families with WWII Veteran Adopters

Wed Oct 22 2025 07:41:26 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A touching initiative in the Netherlands fosters connections between American families and Dutch locals who honor WWII veterans laid to rest across the country.

In a heartwarming effort to bridge past and present, a new initiative in the Netherlands is connecting the families of American service members with Dutch residents who have adopted graves and memorials of veterans. This program, part of the Forever Promise Project, celebrates the legacies of fallen soldiers by maintaining their memory and honoring their sacrifices, creating a lasting bond across cultures. The story of June West Brandt, whose brother was killed in WWII, highlights the significance of these connections and the importance of remembrance.

DALLAS (AP) - Though several decades have passed since her older brother fell in World War II, June West Brandt continues to carry his memory. The artistic soul who played boogie-woogie on the piano holds a special place in her heart, and she was delighted to learn that a dutch couple frequently visits his memorial in a Netherlands cemetery.

Brandt, now 93 and residing near Houston, expressed, It’s wonderful for me to know that someone is there. Her chance meeting with Lisa and Guido Meijers over the summer was made possible through a new initiative that seeks to enhance connections between the families of U.S. service members and the Dutch citizens who have adopted their grave markers.

Robert Edsel, the author of “The Monuments Men” and the driving force behind the Forever Promise Project, recently released a book, “Remember Us,” which narrates the essence of this innovative adoption program at the Netherlands American Cemetery. His foundation has partnered with the Dutch organization responsible for the project, creating a searchable database for families.

Edsel hopes to facilitate connections between as many American families and their Dutch adopters as possible, noting that out of approximately 8,300 graves and 1,700 markers at the cemetery near Margraten, only 20% to 30% maintain contact with the service members' relatives.

The Meijers couple adopted the marker for Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. William Durham “W.D.” West Jr. a few years ago, knowing little about the young soldier whose body was never recovered after a bombing raid into Nazi Germany. Through their discussions with Brandt, they have come to appreciate West's creative nature.

Brandt reminisces about her brother fondly, sharing stories of their close bond during their upbringing in DeRidder, Louisiana. We loved being together, so it was very hard when he left, she reflected.

Brandt’s daughter, Allison Brandt Woods, expresses her gratitude for the Meijers, indicating a deep sense of warmth that they are tending to her uncle's marker. She met the couple on a recent trip and hopes that this familial connection will endure across generations.

Lisa Meijers states that the cemetery is one of many touchstones in the Netherlands that serve as remnants of World War II, as the area was liberated in 1944. She underscored the necessity of honoring those who sacrificed so much for freedom.

The Meijers visit West’s marker monthly, consistently bringing flowers to honor him. Hermes, chairman of a foundation dedicated to the American Cemetery in Margraten, disclosed that interest in adopting a grave is so overwhelming that a waiting list has formed.

The initiative has deep roots, with its formal adoption process dating back to a 1945 town council meeting, where citizens strived to find ways to express their gratitude toward their liberators. Generations of Dutch citizens have tended to these graves, forging bonds with fallen soldiers' families.

As the Forever Promise Project continues to unite these communities, over 300 American families have sought connections with their adopters, signifying the initiative's positive momentum.