European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - June 6, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                A seemingly endless line of White crosses above Omaha Beach provides a vivid reminder of a Day  Normandy american of 1v/ttt to re a a triumphant War is a tragedy in itself Vij i Jive i j i i j i 1 i because there Are losses by Kevin Dougherty staff writer near a Windy Bluff that overlooks Omaha Beach in Northern France is one of our nations most hallowed overseas burial Sites the Normandy american cemetery. Few places in Europe exemplify the triumphs and tragedies of world War ii the Way this former pasture does. To walk through the manicured cemetery and gaze North across windswept Omaha Beach and the English Channel is to Bond with a historical event that unfolded 50 years ago this june. Its easy to imagine As one looks out across theland and water an Armada of amphibious ships heading for the Sandy Shore with bullets flying and Brave Young men dying. A a triumphant War is a tragedy in itself because there Are losses a said Phil Rivers the superintendent of the cemetery which is just East of the town of . The Normandy american cemetery is similar to other cemeteries insofar As its a quiet reflective place w Here the living come to remember the dead. But its More than just a shrine to those who took their last breath on a Distant Shore. The cemetery also serves As a testament to americans commitment to combat oppression such As the kind that gripped the world in the mid-20th Century. Fifty years ago this summer men from every state in the Union converged on the shores of Normandy to Battle the forces of Adolf Hitler. Thousands of Young americans never returned Home. A a. A a. A. A. A More than 23,000 americans died in the liberation of this Region. During the Campaign they were buried in temporary plots including one site just South of the Normandy cemetery. From 1947 to 1954, the remains were exhumed and the next of Kin were Given the option of having the fallen service members returned to the United states for burial or Laid to rest a Normandy american cemetery. About 14,000 remains were sent Home. The remaining 9,386 bodies a 307 of which were unidentified stayed behind for re interment. \ the land for the cemetery which is above the easy red sector of Omaha Beach was donated to the United states by the French government. For the Region Normandy american cemetery is second Only to Mont St it Michel in terms of visitors which number about 1.5 million a year Rivers said. Most of the men buried in the cemetery died. During an 80-Day period starting from the a Day Landing on june 6, 1944, to the breakout from the liberated City of , Rivers said. While the majority of men died in combat some of the deaths were attributed to natural causes or accidents. Perhaps the most famous person buried at Normandy american cemetery is Brig. Gen. Theodore Roosevelt jr., a medal of Honor recipient. Roosevelt died of a heart attack on july 12, 1944, the Day he was supposed to take command of the 90th inf div Rivers said. Buried next to the general is his younger brother Quentin a lieutenant who died in world War i. The younger Roosevelt was an aviator who was shot Down in an isolated area near of amp re in Lardenois. After world War ii the Roosevelt family requested that his remains be transferred to the Normandy american cemetery and Laid to rest next to his brother. The other fallen service members May possess names that Lack the recognition of the Roosevelt Brothers but each holds a special place of Honor. Among the dead Are 307 unknowns three medal of Honor recipients four women a father and son and 33 pairs of Brothers. The 9,386 headstones Are engraved with names that represent a Cross Section of America from pvt. Frank Bradetich of Idaho to 1st it. Harold Capelluto of new York to pvt. Robert Turner of Indiana. A we owe these Guys a lot a Rivers said of the service members buried in the cemetery. A the least that we can do is make sure the cemetery is Well  / the 172-acre spread is a sight to behold with meticulously manicured grounds and mature Trees such As Evergreen and Turkey Oaks Cypress and Poplar. The most abundant of the lot is the austrian Black Pine. In addition to the Trees the Green Lawn that envelops the headstones is Plush and trim. The Grassy carpet consists of 20 percent Oregon Bent and 80 percent fescue. The Trees grass and assortment of Flowers serve to enhance the cemetery a memorial 36 a stars and stripes commemorative edition june 6, 1994