American Legion National Commander Mike Helm and American Legion Auxiliary National President Janet Jefford visit the chapel at Flanders Field American Cemetery in Waregem, Belgium, on Friday. They laid wreaths at the cemetery, which is the final resting place of 368 soldiers who fought with American military units in World War I. Photo by Jeff Stoffer

Legion-adopted graves revive tradition at Flanders Field

Paul Vande Walle, whose grandfather fought with U.S. forces in World War I, stood in the bright Belgian sunshine Friday and waited.

In suit and tie, under a Sons of The American Legion cap, he watched American Legion National Commander Mike Helm and American Legion Auxiliary National President Janet Jefford place wreaths outside the chapel of the Flanders Field American Cemetery.

After the commander and president honored the dead while Taps played in the distance, Vande Walle explained why he came to see the top Legion and Auxiliary officers. His grandfather, also named Paul, was a Belgian who fought with the Americans in World War I. His grandfather also was a founder of Post BE02, which was first chartered in 1933.

"It is important to pass the torch to new generations," Vande Walle said. "As long as there is one member, there is a post."

Three years ago, Flanders Field American Legion Post BE02 was, according to Commander Joseph Schramm, down to just one member.

Since then, with a membership drive that includes energetic support for veterans and military personnel stationed at NATO and SHAPE (Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers-Europe) in and around Brussels, the post has grown to more than 80 members and has set a goal of 125 for this year.

The post has appealed to veterans in Belgium for a number of reasons - a successful oratorical program, Boys State and Girls State participation and a buzzing Legion Riders program among them.

The post's adopt-a-grave program started in March 2014 to attach a local advocate to each of the fallen who are buried at the 1919 established cemetery in Waregem. Quickly, each of the 368 graves was adopted by a local advocate who is required to visit it on a frequent basis, decorate it and learn about the soldier buried there.

"The adopters began connecting with American families and inviting families to come," said Chris Arseneault, superintendent of the American Battle Monuments Commission cemetery. "The enthusiasm is amazing. With this grave adoption program, we have a new tradition."

"I would like to see programs like this all over," National Commander Helm said of the Post BE02 grave adoption program. "The connections - the care of the grave itself, the history, the story of the soldier or veteran buried or remembered there - you could do that at any cemetery. This is an outstanding program that I would like to see replicated, to keep the history and legacy of service alive."

Vande Walle went to his car and brought back photos of the Legionnaires who supported the cemetery in the 1930s. They are gathered in the black and white photo, his grandfather right in the middle, at the beginning of a tradition that they would be pleased to know continues today. Learn more about the program on the post website.