Area chiefs care for American infants’ resting place

Members of the Ramstein Area Chief’s Group volunteered time May 8 to provide maintenance at the Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Cemetery in preparation for a yearly remembrance ceremony.

The cemetery in Kaiserslautern marks the final resting place of many American infants who died either at birth or shortly after from 1952 through 1971.

“This just feels like the right thing to do,” said Senior Master Sgt. Randy Sadler, 603rd Air Operations Center, Air Mobility Division superintendent, when asked why he volunteered his off-time for the Kindergraves preparation. “Honoring the military children who didn’t get to make that trip home to the U.S. just feels right.”

Chief Master Sgt. Ed Rosemeier, 86th Mission Support Group superintendent Vogelweh Complex/Sembach Annex, echoed those same sentiments.

“I love coming out here and doing this,” he said. “I have done this twice and plan to continue until I leave.”

Originally maintained by the German-American Women’s Club, the historic site provides a dignified and peaceful place for those children who were unable to return stateside.

In the mid 1980s, the club, facing site-lease challenges, asked local military officials for help. In 1986, the Chief’s Group stepped in, acting as the site’s trusted agent.

Each spring after Mother’s Day, volunteers from the base assist retired Chief Master Sgt. Terence Delay, Kindergrave Memorial chairman, with setting up a memorial ceremony sponsored by the Kaiserslautern Kindergraves Memorial Foundation in cooperation with the KMC and Kaiserslautern city officials.

For some, the site has become a place to invite the whole family to help, reminding them of past sacrifices.

“We brought two of our daughters, Hanna, 11, and Rebecca, 21, to help,” said Joanna McCormack, spouse of Chief Master Sgt. Kent McCormack, 86th Dental Squadron superintendent. “I really hadn’t heard of Kindergraves before this year, but my husband said ‘Come on, we are going to clean something worthwhile.’ It is such a great thing for not only the families of those lost but for our family to see as well.”

The ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Daenner Kaserne Chapel. For details, visit www.kaiserslautern-kindergraves.org.