Oise-Aisne American Cemetery — Local services in Château-Thierry

Our visit to the Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial was an unforgettable experience that left a lasting impression on our hearts and minds. From the moment we arrived, we were struck by the profound sense of reverence and tranquility that envelops the entire cemetery.

The grounds are meticulously maintained, with wide paths lined with majestic trees and vibrant beds of roses, creating a peaceful atmosphere that invites reflection and remembrance.

One of the highlights of our visit was the memorial itself, an architectural masterpiece built of rose-colored sandstone with elegant white trim. The curving colonnade, adorned with sculptured details of wartime equipment, stands as a testament to the bravery and sacrifice of those who fought here. Flanking the colonnade are a chapel and a map room, each offering unique insights into the history and significance of the site.

Inside the chapel, we found a beautifully carved stone altar and the Walls of the Missing, inscribed with the names of 241 soldiers who remain unaccounted for. The map room was another highlight, featuring an engraved and colored wall map that vividly portrays the military operations in the region during 1918.

If you have the opportunity to visit, we highly recommend it. The Oise-Aisne American Cemetery and Memorial is not just a place to learn about history but also a place to connect with it on a deeply...

My grandfather's 42nd (Rainbow) Division is honored here. My father's 80th birthday was celebrated with my brother and I traveling the route my grandfather's Alabama regiment fought, ending here. He survived luckily, yet many of his friends did not. Meticulously maintained and beautiful these shrine is a testament to the price Americans have always paid for freedom everywhere. The staff was excellent and open. They directed us to a private farm next door where we met the descendants that were liberated by the Alabama and New York regiments. The family flies an American flag over 90 years later. There is a standing invitation to all family members of both regiments to simply knock on their door to meet this grateful family. Amazing experience to say the least. This place is personal for my family and my father got emotional thinking of how many of his father's...

Just one more extraordinary and moving example of the American presence in France in the 20th Century.

As it happened, discovery was by accident upon departing an overnight stay in nearby Villers-Agron-Aguizy -- a misty, gray day, and a sign with an arrow, "Cimitere Americaine." We delayed our arrival in Reims, detoured to the wast, and spent a meditative hour in this splendidly kept cemetery…… an example of one thing the U.S.Government does right: take care of our fallen in...