European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - November 11, 1993, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Page 4 the stars and stripes veterans Day soldiers at peace in la thursday november it 1993 in War by Steve  Bureau Verdun France pvt. William o. Watts and Cpl. Freddie Stowers probably never knew each other in  came from Missouri and served in the 138th inf 35h div while Stowers came from South Carolina and was assigned to the 371st inf 93rd div. What the two soldiers had in common was that both were killed during fierce fighting North of Verdun during world War i once called the War to end All  they also share a Bond with living american Veter ans of All eras who Are being honoured today by the Observance of veterans Day. The Graves of Watts and Stowers Are two of the14,246 belonging to americans in the 130-acre Meuse Argonne american cemetery near Romagne sous  cemetery which holds a Wreath laying ceremony at 11 . Today to Honor All service members is one of 11 cemeteries in France that hold and Honor the re Mains of americans killed in the two world wars. This cemetery is set among rolling Hills several Miles outside the French Village surrounded by Graceful Lin Den Trees and shrubs. Neatly trimmed lawns surround the symmetrical rows of Graves that stretch almost As far As the Eye can see. On a Windy fall Day the leaves from the nearby Trees flutter and Settle on the Graves and act As another layer of Protection for the fallen soldiers. The Graves Are topped with latin Cross or Star of David headstones made from White italian Marble they Are engraved with the Soldier s name rank organization Home state and Date of death. The words on some headstones including Stowe Sarc in Gold. Those headstones indicate the Man buried beneath is a medal of Honor recipient. Many Days Tours or busloads of people visit the cemetery which is in the Center of an area captured from the germans during the final throes of the War. Most but not All of the visitors Are americans. Many Are Young people wanting to learn about their history said assistant cemetery supervisor James v.  people come to look at the Graves of their family members. Some cry and others just walk through Neil said. Many of those visitors sign the reception Book in the is padm John Bot vat French history students walk among the headstones at Meuse Argonne american cemetery. The cemetery near re Magne sous Mont Faucon France is filled with . Soldiers killed in world War l Chapel with phrases like never again or we won t Ever  one woman from Tennessee left a Mes Sage saying we miss you  although Watts and Stowers who died 90 Days apart in 1918, Likely were not acquaintances chances Are they d agree that their final resting place is appropriate. It encourages visitors to appreciate the ultimate contribution made by military people who be fought for their country. It also asks people to prevent wars. For Watts and Stowers who Are forever linked on a Hillside in France that would be the ultimate tribute. Some veterans May be crowded out by swarms of a Day comme orators by Mark Kinkad staff writer John Davis does t know if his group of about 200 people will have a place in the next invasion of Europe. Like a lot of veterans groups Davis veterans of for eign wars chapter based in Paris wants to be Parton the 50th anniversary of a Day in june. Davis wants to be among the nearly 20,000 world War ii veterans and others expected to crowd the French seacoast during the anniversary of tha massive Allied assault on Europe. Out Davis said he s worried because so Many people Are expected at the ceremonies that his group May not be Able to participate. I have been officially discouraged from setting up hags of the nations that Allied against Germany and the other Central Powers in world War 1 rest at the Back of the cemetery s Chapel. Any ceremony for june 6, 1994, at any of the locations in Northern France Davis said in a Telephone inter View from his Paris office. I checked with the . Embassy in France and  come headquartered in Stuttgart Germany and they Tell us there s going to be so Many people coming not even counting our allies that it will simply be too congested to do anything  for the military the Observance will be the Crown jewel of about five years Worth of events memorializing the War in Europe said it. Col Darrel Jones the Deputy chief of Neucom s world War ii commemoration division. Since 1991, the division has been helping coordinate military participation in such events and the office is expected to stay open until late 1995. We Mirror the War Jones said. We be had some events marking significant wartime events leading to the invasion of Europe but now we re in a Lull just like before the invasion in 1944." Jones said the memorial events will follow the War s path from Normandy through Europe s major Battles including the siege of Bastogne Belgium the crossing of the Rhine River and the end of the War. But the Normandy anniversary will probably be the biggest for veterans vow european spokesman Dean White said in Wiesbaden Germany. The hotels near Normandy have been booked solid for  four years now.," White said. While Neucom estimates 20,000 people will attend that number could be much higher considering How Many tourists history buffs and Media people will at tend. President Clinton also is to attend. The 50th commemorative is something special and Normandy is the focal Point of the  said. Most of the people planning to attend any of the commemoration events in the next two years Are Mem Bers of veterans organizations White said. Some of the More organized groups make annual pilgrimages to Europe for certain anniversaries he said. The veterans groups with Strong organizations Freddie Stowers. C0h, 371 Ini South cat Una Gold letters help indicate that the Headstone of  Stowers Marks the grave of a recipient of the medal of Honor. Are More Likely to come Over. But we do expect a lot of people showing up on their  in the past two years. White said the number of vet Erans returning to Europe for anniversary events has gone up slightly. The Rise is caused in part by the 50tnanniversary of the War and the age of the veterans. There Are about 2.2 million american veterans of world War ii still alive today White said. For Many the 50th is the last Chance they la have to come Back  the problem with the pilgrimages to Europe Davis said is too Many people working on the same thing. He does t place blame on any one organization but instead on the entire coordinating process. It s quite frustrating he said. It s not that no Oneis taking care of it but it seems there s too Many people taking care of the problems. There s some contusion about time and place. I just Hope some of the people who Snow up on their own have some Good tents and sleeping bags