Árdís - 01.01.1964, Side 51

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
49
with the dew still glittering on the grass and peace reigning every-
where. Clutching our sprays of flowers, we soon found our graves;
and I stood in silent reverie, thinking of our dear boy, and hoping
that he might be aware of my presence there, and be glad. This
was what I had longed for all through the years and at last it had
become a reality. It seemed a comfort that his last resting place
is in this friendly and sympathetic country. My daze came to an
end when the photographers arrived, and I placed my flowers
beside the tombstone, where I found another bouquet had been laid
by my friends. This visit I will remember and cherish for the rest
of my life.
The procedure was similar when we visited the Military Ceme-
tery of Groesbeck. This is very well kept too, and shows the loving
care of the people, that have adopted the graves. Here are a few
names on a Roll of Honour, near the entrance; as these soldiers
had been buried elsewhere in common graves, with no possibility
to exhume. This was during the height of the war, on German soil,
when casualties were very heavy and even prisoners were mowed
down with machine guns, and burial made in huge trenches. This
was a great shock to the next of kin, but one brave lady remarked,
“I am sure God has found my boy’s soul, and he is happy with the
rest, in the Eternal Home”.
We walked aroimd in this cemetery and I accompanied the
oldest pilgrim—a lady 81 years of age, who was looking for graves
of friends, after having stood beside the burial place of her own
son. Here, as in other places, the Dutch people had attempted to
lessen the sorrow by their kindness, thoughtfulness, and sympathy.
All the pilgrims, accompanied by their hosts, and those that
had adopted their graves, attended the Remembrance Ceremony,
in the Military Cemetery of Holten, the day before our departure.
This was conducted by the Padre to the Canadians, with military
personnel, cadets and a display of Dutch and Canadian flags, paying
tribute to our boys. It was a beautiful, but very sad, commemora-
tion, opened by the playing of the “Last Post”. Many kind words,
of gratitude and comfort were spoken. Three hymns, known to us,
were sung, together with a parting hymn “Nightfall in the Camp”.
Everyone was touched, and tears glistened in the eyes of our Dutch
friends, as they warmly pressed our hands in sympathy.