European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 15, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse Vex. Stone crosses Mark he Graves of americans who died during operation Dragoon. Is. Dave Casey final honors Dragoon dead buried at Rhone american cemetery by de reams staff writer Provence in summer is hot and dry. Its towns have an Eye hurting Glare at midday when the Cicada concert reaches its Peak. Amid the heat and shrill is a Small Oasis in a Raguinan France the Rhine american cemetery and memorial. The cemetery despite the Sun is a Rich Green Refuge a Field of crosses sectioned by a walk in the form of a Cross flanked by pools and crowned with a tall memorial Chapel. ".-. /. Buried there Are americans who died during operation Dragoon the Allied invasion of Southern France 50 years ago which is being commemorated during ceremonies this week. Many of the veterans who participated in the Landing from the sea and through the air Wilt be returning for the ceremonies. And one of the places most will be visiting is the cemetery which will be the site of a ceremony this evening honouring the vets. The cemetery custodian is Brendan . Derby. Derby originally from Brooklyn is a Man with two passions the old Brooklyn dodgers and the Field of Honor unknown Graves. That has been entrusted to him. Derby who has been the cemetery custodian the last four years said we think we be created a suitable site to Honor the men that were killed in action Here. We have about 20,000 visitors a the site of the Rhone american cemetery and memorial was chosen because of its historic location along the route of the 7th army and was established on aug. 19,1944. The name was taken from the Rhone River a Hub of operation Dragoon. There Are 861 americans buried at the cemetery Derby said. Sixty two of the headstones Mark the Graves of unknowns the remains of 1,200 others originally buried in the Region were returned Home at the request of relatives. There Are also Side by Side in two instances the Graves of two Brothers. The headstones Are of White italian Marble. The men buried there came from every state in the Union except North Dakota. Some came from the District of Columbia and puerto Rico. There Are also inscribed on the memorial Wall of the missing the names of 294 others who died in action but whose remains were never recovered or rest in the cemetery covers 12 acres. The use of the land was Given to the Dave Casey cemetery tour guide Jilles poll prepares to raise the american Flag. Government by the French people As an expression of gratitude for their liberation in world War ii. The construction and care of the cemetery and memorial Are the responsibility of the american Battle monuments commission. Joseph Laposata Secretary of the commission visited the a Raguinan cemetery in july. At the end of his tour he pointed at Derby and said he s doing a great when i first visited this site the surrounding Hills were All now they Are Rich and verdant. It s Good to have a professional like or. Derby working Here he added. In front of the memorial s Chapel is a massive Bronze map of the . Military invasion into Southern France and the ensuing Campaign. A Raguinan in the Var Region of. Provence is 28 Miles West of Cannes and 16 Miles Inland from the seacoast. The cemetery is open daily from april 16 to sept 30 from 8 . To 6 . And from oct. 1 to april 15 from 9 . To 5 . A staff member in the visitors building answers questions and escorts relatives to grave and memorial Sites. Monday August 15,1994 the stars and stripes 15
