DALLAS (AP) — June West Brandt, 93, reflects on her brother who served in World War II, soon to find heartfelt connections across the ocean. Brandt, from Houston, discovered that her brother is not only remembered by her but also by a Dutch couple visiting his memorial at a cemetery in the Netherlands.
The couple, Lisa and Guido Meijers, was introduced to Brandt through the Forever Promise Project, aimed at linking American families with Dutch adopters caring for graves of U.S. service members.
This initiative, backed by Robert Edsel, author of “The Monuments Men”, connects families with the stories of their loved ones buried in foreign lands. With a growing searchable database, Edsel hopes to foster relationships between families and their Dutch counterparts.
Ton Hermes from the Foundation for Adopting Graves American Cemetery Margraten shared that, despite over 8,300 graves being adopted, only 20% to 30% have contact with the respective American families.
Initially learning about Staff Sgt. William Durham “W.D.” West Jr., the Meijerses were eager to embrace his story, enriching their understanding of his life as they connected with Brandt.
Brandt reminisces about her beloved brother, who was not just a soldier but also a creative soul, playing the piano and painting. “We loved being together, so it was very hard when he left,” she recalls.
Her daughter, Allison Brandt Woods, values the presence of the Meijers family at her uncle's grave, hoping for enduring ties between their families.
As WWII memorials are prevalent across the Netherlands, the Meijerses bring flowers monthly to honor West’s memory, reinforcing the importance of remembrance and sacrifice.
With a waiting list to adopt markers, the program continues to forge connections; many graves have been cared for by families since the 1940s, preserving a legacy of gratitude and love. In total, over 300 families have sought contact with their Dutch adopters, laying a path for new, cherished relationships.
