Features

Kaiserslautern Kindergraves – Keeping the Promise

May 23, 2019

Story and photos by
Airman 1st Class Kaylea Berry
86 Airlift Wing Public Affairs

Kaiserslautern Kindergraves – Keeping the Promise The Ramstein High School Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps leads attendees to the Kindergraves at the Kaiserslautern Main Cemetery, Kaiserslautern, May 19. The Kindergraves are the final resting place to the 451 children who passed away between 1952 and 1971

The annual Kindergraves memorial service was held May 19, at the Kaisers­lautern Main Cemetery. Representatives from the City of Kaiserslautern, German-American International Women’s Club, and the 86th Airlift Wing gave remarks during the ceremony.
Herr Gerhard Prottung, representing the Mayor of Kaiserslautern, expressed his appreciation to all who attended the tribute to the children and their families.
“The loss of a loved one is a great suffering for all family and friends,” said Prottung. “We are here in such a place of remembrance. The 451 children of members of the U.S. armed forces were buried here between 1952 and 1971.”
The City of Kaiserslautern donated two public burial plots during the initial years, however, the lease for these plots expired in 1986. The graves were secured through donations from the German-American Women’s Club of Kaiserslautern, the Army and Air Force Spouse’s Clubs and other private sources. Maintenance and care for the Kindergraves is provided by the Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group and the German-American and International Women’s Club.
Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th AW commander, talked about the importance of the German-American relationship.
“The strength of our relationship with the Kaiserslautern community has withstood the test of time and the Kindergraves are a shining testimony to our friendship,” said August.
“We keep the promise by honoring the children buried here — we love them as if they were our own. Because they are, they are our family, and they always will be,” he continued.

For more information about Kindergraves please visit www.kaiserslautern-kindergraves.org.

Attendees of the Kindergraves memorial service pay their respects at the Kaiserslautern Main Cemetery, May 19. With a few exceptions, these little ones were the children of American military members stationed in the Kaiserslautern community
Members from the German-American and International Women’s Club, Ramstein Area Chief’s Group, American Legion, and the Sergeant Major Association lay the wreaths at the Kaiserslautern Main Cemetery, May 19. The Kindergraves are maintained by donations and volunteers from the local community.
U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, gives remarks during the annual Kindergraves memorial service at the Kaiserslautern Main Cemetery, May 19. August spoke on the strength of the German-American relationship, and the importance of honoring the memory of the children
Kaiserslautern Military Community senior enlisted leaders light candles to remember the 451 children lost between 1952 and 1971 at Daenner Kaserne Chapel, May 19. The Kindergraves memorial service is held annually to honor the children.
« Previous × Next »