This grave is of 1 Lt Alvin X Zeidenfeld on Plot O Row 22 Grave 17. Netherlands American Cemetery.Margraten, Netherlands. He was one of the 8301 soldiers buried there. A few years ago, we were allowed to scatter our Father’s ashes on this hallowed soil.
Lt Alvin X Zeidenfeld was a First Lieutenant with the U.S. Army Air Forces. He served with the 452nd Bomber Squadron, 322nd Bomber Group, and Medium. He was born on 8 Apr 1918 in Denver City, Colorado, USA.
He died on May 17, 1943, when his plane was brought down. He was one of the 1.5 million Jewish military servicemen who fought with the Allied troops. Tens of thousands of them died in combat, and I believe they are not registered as Holocaust victims.
I still would love to remember them via 1 Lt Alvin X Zeidenfeld and via a poem.
Here lies a hero in a foreign land,
Far from the shores of his American home.
A Jewish soldier, brave and strong,
In Margraten’s soil, he’s not alone.
He left behind his family’s embrace,
Answering the call of freedom’s fight.
With courage, he faced the darkest days,
Striving for justice, defending the right.
In the fields of battle, his spirit soared,
Guided by faith, by hope, by love.
He fought for peace, with valor roared,
Now, he rests under the skies above.
Margraten’s grounds, a sacred space,
Hold tales of sacrifice and pain.
Yet in this place, he found his grace,
His legacy is a lasting gain.
He dreamt of a world where peace could reign,
Where all could live without fear.
Though he’s gone, his dream remains,
In hearts that hold his memory dear.
Here lies a hero, known and cherished,
In the Dutch earth, his story is told.
An American soldier, who never perished,
For his spirit lives, his courage bold.
May his soul find eternal peace,
In the hallowed ground, where he lies.
His sacrifice will never cease,
To inspire, as time goes by.
“Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”
-General John J. Pershing.
Sources
History of Sorts 