From “fold3” I got a mail to join the Memorial Day “Parade of Heroes”. With 2020 marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II, and honor the generation that sacrificed so much to secure our freedom.

During the German occupation from 1940 to 1945, a large number of Allied aircraft were shot down over Denmark by German anti-aircraft guns and German fighters as they were on their way to and from bombings in Germany. Many of the airmen lost their lives and were buried at the local cemetery.

The map of Denmark showing the places where the American airmen were buried (source AirmenDK).

In May 1948, 133 were removed to be buried in Belgium or taken home to the United States. Only five USAAF airmen still rest in Denmark where the grave is kept by the parish with flowers and decorations. The five places are marked with a black dot. In Jylland relative close to where we live The American airman Jack D. Hodge rest at Øster Strarup cemetery. Maria and I have visited the cemetery on several occasions where we placed a decoration and a US flag (see links hereDecoration and hereUSflag).

Memorial Day 2020  last Monday in May we were not able to travel to Øster Strarup, but we enjoyed the nice weather the next day Tuesday.

Memorial Day Monday 29 May 2023. 

Efter et besøg hos venner i Odense  kørte vi til Øster Strarup kirkegård for at plante et nyt US flag på Jack D. Hodge grav.