A Journey of Remembrance: Q&A with Amy Roberts

This Veterans Day, we’re honored to share Amy Roberts’ story. Amy is a U.S. Army veteran whose Holland America voyage became a deeply personal journey to pay tribute to her uncle, Edward A. Reinehr, who lost his life during World War II.

Edward was laid to rest at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten. The cemetery upholds an important 80-year-old tradition called “the Forever Promise,” in which Dutch families take care of the graves and honor the soldiers on holidays. During her journey to the Netherlands, Amy met the Dutch adopter of her uncle’s name.

“When I was young my uncle Edward was a handful of black-and-white photographs, occasionally a family story that ended in a somber mood. As I got older, I saw my uncle’s memory as an empty space in my father’s life. He should’ve had an older brother and Edward’s death had an impact on my father’s young life. I saw that the death of a family member can change the emotional and psychological life trajectory of those who were closest to them.

In many ways, my uncle Edward will always be a mystery to me. I learned new things about him in the family room at the Margraten Cemetery. It may be that my father’s family stopped talking about these details long before I was born. I saw my uncle’s draft card with his signature on it, I read the name of the company that he worked for before he shipped out and his recorded physical details told me that he inherited the crooked fifth finger from my father’s family.

It is very particular feeling in a moment when you’re brushing very close to new history of your own family members.

I think the most important thing is that I will never forget the sacrifice of Edward’s young life to help liberate the world, if only temporarily, from totalitarianism.”

“My journey to the Netherlands was emotionally impactful as I think all travel can be. Travel educates us in ways we cannot re-create with experiential technology or reading. Leading up to my departure day I was able to prepare myself with books and documentaries about the history and culture of the Netherlands and Norway. I prefer to be an informed traveler to enrich my experience once I arrive. It was also my first cruise line travel, and I found informative videos on social media.

The main goal of my adventure was to be the first family member to visit the memorial in Margraten, Netherlands of my uncle Edward who died in World War II. Both Professor Wiggins’ book, Another Generation Almost Forgotten and Robert Edsel’s Remember Us brought me the full story of the Netherlands American Cemetery.

In the past my late father had shared pictures of Margraten as it was an important place to him. It is where his big brother’s name is carved into stone alongside thousands who lost their lives in battles for the liberation of Europe.

It was not that I felt an obligation to visit the cemetery, but my father had told me in the past that he wished he could go and see it. So, it was a thread that had to be left undone for future generations until this year.

On the day of my embarkation, I woke up in the Hotel New York after 12 straight hours of sleep. I was thankful that I pushed through the previous day as long as possible; it helped me adjust to my new European time zone. I was very fortunate to get a special tour of the ship, and before we even left the pier, I was sitting facing a tasty plate of sushi. This was my first multi-day cruise and I was fortunate that my cabin attendants were so patient and helpful because I had many questions the first two days.”

“My favorite part of my Holland America cruise was waking up to the view every morning. We had beautiful weather most of the trip but even a rainy day at sea has its own beauty. Most of my life I have lived relatively close to the Atlantic or the Pacific, but now I’ve experienced it in a different way.

Nothing compares to days spent at sea with the ocean horizon all around you.

It was surprising that the ship operates as a small town and yet you are constantly aware of the water shifting beneath you even on calm days. I am fortunate to have never experienced seasickness and even on the choppiest cruise day I still felt fine. I admit to a sweet tooth and with all the food options on the boat I would have been disappointed to miss one of those gorgeous desserts.”

“When the cruise was coming to an end, I had some sad feelings about the travel ending because I had enjoyed all of my Norwegian port excursions. Up until the end of my cruise, my feelings about my trip to the cemetery were a combination of that sorrow of family stories and some apprehension about representing myself and my country. Even enjoyable travel can take its toll, and I’m glad I opted for another good night’s sleep before my trip to the cemetery. Profound emotions are best managed with a good night’s sleep.”

“I was surprised to wake up elated and really excited for the day.

The reality is the harm to my uncle and my family occurred decades ago, I felt my day ahead was about meeting all the new people who made the day possible. I had exchanged emails with the Dutch adopter of my uncle’s name, and I hoped I could express to him how grateful I was and how pleased my father would have been. I wish my father had known about the Forever Promise Adoption Program, I know that the cemetery itself was a comfort to him and his family.

I admire people who choose to participate with their time and resources to make positive connections in the global community. Thousands of Dutch citizens choose to be stewards of the Forever Promise. So many promises are broken in this world, and I cherish one that continues with such care and fidelity. Of course, I wish that my uncle lived a long life and that I had known him but I’m also grateful to experience this precious sentiment in my life.

So in the end I had a really good time that day visiting Margraten. There was a moment of silence that felt serene and content. I received such kindness and enjoyed my conversations with people I would never have met if I had not taken this voyage.

Travel is an opportunity to be present for the stories and experiences of people who live in distant places. In those conversations we find community, we learn new things about the world and ourselves. I am so grateful for those that made this journey possible for me, and I am forever thankful for the time spent in the company of Eduard the adopter, the film crew I traveled with that day and the staff at the cemetery who receive and guide visitors like me with such respect and compassion. It has replaced the feelings of a family loss with fond memories as part of the Forever Promise.”

“I’ve lived as a perpetual student, especially of history, and it has enriched my life philosophically and existentially. I can think of no trip taken that has not included emotional growth for me, travel to another continent isn’t easy but the rewards are great.

I always leave wishing for more time, one more city seen and more conversations shared. Of course, I look forward to returning home and reentry to the schedule of regular life. And the reality is that a part of me is still in the Netherlands, I’m still thinking about the people I met, the natural and architectural landscapes. The cemetery at Margraten isn’t only a photograph in a frame now. At the winter holiday and American Memorial Day, I will be remembering the new friend I made in the Netherlands and that friend is visiting my uncle’s memorial with flowers. I am grateful to Eduard for commemorating the sacrifice of my family member but even more for the community connections programs like Forever Promise are building and that he chose to step up.”

“We are in a difficult time in history once again and just like crests of violence and oppression in the past, we feel small in the wave.

The sacrifice of my uncle Edward’s life, the adopter Eduard’s commitment to his memorial, my journey to meet him … from a distance these may seem small moments, but I believe in these meaningful choices we hope to make the world better than we found it.”