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Approximately 30 Air-men assigned to the 86th Operations Support Squadron and their families spent their Saturday morning volunteering to clean the American Kindergraves Oct. 15 in Kaiserslautern.
The Kindergraves are home to more than 450 American children who died at or almost immediately after birth from 1952 to 1971.
The Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group organizes volunteers once a month to maintain the Kindergraves, as German custom is the families are responsible for care and maintenance of the gravesite.
“It is extremely important,” said Chief Master Sgt. John Robbins, U.S. Air Forces in Europe functional manager and Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group lead. “We act on behalf of the families and maintain their children’s graves. Additionally, many Germans walk through the cemetery and keeping the Kindergraves looking clean sends a message that we respect their culture and that we honor our service members’ and families’ sacrifices. We continue to bring meaning to the term ‘military family.’”
Staff Sgt. Stephanie Rey, 86 OSS weather forecaster, organized the volunteers for this month’s cleanup of the site.
“It looked like it was going to be quite a lot of work, and we had a short time to do it,” Rey said. “I was really happy we had so many great volunteers who were willing to come out and do whatever was needed. There wasn’t a lot of instruction that needed to be given. It was really amazing.”
The volunteers raked and swept the gravesite and the surrounding streets, cleaned around bushes and flower beds, and brushed and polished each gravestone.
“If we left this place a mess, I feel like it would be dishonoring the families and members who were here,” Rey said. “All of these children are here because their parents were helping our country. I think it’s very important we pay them back with the same respect they gave us.”
Volunteers from the KMC offer their services so often many have to be turned away, said Robbins. Their efforts are not lost among those who have children buried there.
“The families often contact me through the Kindergraves Facebook page thanking us for remembering their children and for keeping the site so well maintained,” Robbins continued. “Knowing that the children will never be forgotten comforts the families.”
It was a bittersweet time for Rey as she helped clean the Kindergraves where so many children are laid to rest.
“I felt a wide array of emotions,” Rey said. “I definitely had tears come to my eyes, but I also felt joy and true accomplishment. I am proud to be part of an organization that takes care of its members. Even though they’re not here right now, we’re taking care of their family members who have remained.”
Through the organization of the Ramstein Area Chiefs’ Group, members of the KMC have the opportunity to give back to the military members who came before them.
“Leading the Kindergraves effort is the most humbling and rewarding opportunity I’ve ever experienced,” Robbins said. “Regardless of anyone’s spiritual beliefs, there is no arguing that what we do brings comfort to those who have felt one of life’s most tragic losses — losing a child.”
