The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

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August 6, 2012

Moving Wall draws local WWII connection

Dutch visitor cares for soldier’s grave

By Tom Davidson Herald Staff Writer

MERCER COUNTY — “Every name has a story.”

That’s what Adry Weijenberg said Sunday after walking the path in front of The Moving Wall during a visit to Hermitage to see the traveling Vietnam War Memorial replica.

Weijenberg lacks a direct connection to the 58,000 American Vietnam War dead, but the 48-year-old Dutch English teacher appreciates history and the American role in the liberation of his homeland from the Nazis.

Weijenberg and his wife Hermien and their daughter Rebecca visited The Moving Wall with Fairview Township resident Judy King and her daughter Morgan Ligo.

King’s uncle, 1st Lt. James E. Watson, was killed Sept. 18, 1944, in Holland during Operation Market Garden, Weijenberg said.

King admits that the Dutchman knows more about her uncle’s service than she does. The Weijenbergs have tended to Watson’s grave in the U.S. Cemetery at Margraten for about 20 years.

Watson’s one of 8,301 Americans interred there, each of whom have a Dutch caretaker who keeps the graves decorated and visited on holidays and Holy Days, according to Weijenberg, who added there’s a waiting list to become a part of the program.

They adopted Watson’s grave in 1992 and in 1995 met King’s father Matthew Watson and his brother Tom.

Matthew and Tom were taking a tour of World War II sites in 1995 when they were able to connect with the Weijenbergs, who had been trying to find James Watson’s family.

Since they met, the families have become friends and this visit was the third the Weijenbergs had made to America.

King’s daughter Morgan has spent time in the Netherlands with the Weijenbergs, she said.

“Having a face behind the cross,” is important to the Weijenbergs, Adry said.

Judy enjoyed showing Mercer County to the Weijenbergs. In addition to The Moving Wall, the family visited Amish country and other Watson family graves here.

“It’s pretty special,” Judy King said.

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