‘It’s a symbol of our ongoing promise’

U.S ambassador to the Netherlands discusses diplomatic effects of Dutch grave adoptions.

Cemeteries may not come instantly to mind when considering the U.S. State Department’s diplomatic missions abroad. But they have an important place, says U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Popolo. Under the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten “is a huge tool in our toolkit … a big reminder that we’re doing a lot together, and historically, we have done a lot together. We have invested the ultimate sacrifice in this relationship.”

Appointed by President Trump last year, Popolo recently spoke with The American Legion Magazine from The Hague.

RELATED ARTICLE  | THE FOREVER PROMISE “Monuments Men” author Robert Edsel’s new quest aims to connect U.S. Families with Dutch grave adopters.

What is the diplomatic value of the Netherlands American Cemetery?
It is an amazing part of our soft-power skill set here in the State Department. That cemetery speaks uniquely to the relationship between our two countries. There’s a lot of touch points – trade and national security (among them) – but Americans coming over here, dying on their soil, liberating the Dutch, them being so grateful, fighting for, and getting, the cemetery and adopting it. It’s a symbol of our ongoing promise.

How soon after your confirmation did you make it a point to learn more about it?
One of my first trips was out to the cemetery. That was in November, in the first few weeks, just because it is such a critical part of our mission here. It is awe-inspiring and solemn and historic and moving. The architecture, the layout, the design – everything – was done so thoughtfully and is maintained so faithfully by ABMC.

How important is the cemetery to the culture there?
I don’t doubt that there is one person in the south part of the Netherlands who doesn’t at some level appreciate what went on for us to liberate the Dutch and the huge toll – 30,000 American soldiers died – and 10,000 remain there today. It is a constant reminder of our transnational relationship, which is so critical.

How aware were you of “Remember Us,” Robert Edsel and the Margraten grave-adoption program prior to your appointment?
To be honest, I had not heard about Robert. I had not heard of Margraten. I had not heard of the grave-adopters program. And so, when you all of a sudden understand you are going to be the U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, you start reading a lot, and you dig into this story. It’s multi-layered. It’s really an incredible story. It’s actually a book we give to guests at our residence when they come. It’s a great book and speaks so eloquently to the relationship between our two countries and this interconnectedness that we have … this 250-year history – and most importantly (to keep) our sacrifice to free Europe at the forefront.

What can be done to connect families in America to the Dutch grave adopters?
Frankly, the easier part is that we know who all the Dutch grave adopters are. What families remain and how do we get to them in the United States? (The American Legion) can have a uniquely pivotal role in identifying them.

Jeff Stoffer is editor of The American Legion Magazine.

This article appeared in the May 2026 issue of The American Legion Magazine and is offered here with additional content free of charge. To receive The American Legion Magazine on a monthly basis in print or digital format, click here to join.