Chiefs care for 451 American infants' resting place

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael Voss
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany (AFNS) --  Members of the Ramstein Area Chief's Group volunteered May 8 providing maintenance at the Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Cemetery here in preparation for a yearly remembrance ceremony.

The cemetery is the final resting place for 451 American infants who died in Germany, either at birth or shortly after, from 1952 through 1971.

"This just feels like the right thing to do," said Senior Master Sgt. Randy Sadler, the 603rd Air Operations Center Air Mobility Division superintendent. "Honoring the military children who didn't get to make that trip home to the U.S. just feels right."

Chief Master Sgt. Ed Rosemeier, the 86th Medical Group superintendent, echoed those same sentiments.

"I love coming out here and doing this," Chief Rosemeier said. "I have done this twice, and plan to continue until I leave."

Originally maintained by members of the German-American Women's Club, the historic site provides a dignified and peaceful resting place for those children who were unable to return to the United States.

Facing site-lease challenges in the mid 1980s, club members asked local military officials for help. In 1986, members of the chief's group stepped in, acting as the site's entrusted agent.

Each spring following Mother's Day, volunteers from the base assist retired Master Sgt. Terence Delay, the Kindergraves Memorial chairperson, with setting up a memorial ceremony sponsored by the Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation in cooperation with the Kaiserslautern military community and Kaiserslautern city officials.

For some, the site has become a place to invite the whole family to come and help.

"We brought two of our daughters: Hanna, 11, and Rebecca, 21, to help," said Joanna McCormack, spouse of Chief Master Sgt. Kent McCormack, 86th Dental Squadron superintendent. "I really hadn't heard of Kindergraves before this year, but my husband said 'Come on, we are going to clean something worthwhile.' It is such a great thing for not only the families of those lost, but for our family to see as well."

The 2010 memorial ceremony will be held May 15 at the U.S. Army Daenner Kaserne Chapel in Kaiserslautern, Germany. For more information on the Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation, visit http://www.kaiserslautern-kindergraves.org/.