Gratitude Is Not Enough
Raising Awareness for a Belgian Family & a Valuable Museum
Have you heard of the Remember 39-45 Museum? My guess is probably not unless you’ve visited Belgium and someone told you about this World War II museum near the ABMC cemetery Henri-Chapelle. It is a small museum, visited by appointment only.
I visited this museum over a couple of days in October 2015 after hearing about it from some Dutch World War II grave adoption friends. It is run by Marcel and Mathilde Schmetz, The “M&M’s”.
The M&M’s have an incredible story and their life mission for decades has been to honor our soldiers who liberated Europe. They also have a special place in their hearts for the 1st Infantry Division and those soldiers who stayed at the Schmetz farm during the fall of 1944.
When I visited, Mathilde and Marcel told me about the history of the museum and many stories they have saved over the years. Marcel built the museum and made by hand, many things it contains. Together, the couple gathered photos and stories, artifacts, books, documents, and vehicles, to preserve for future generations. They host veterans from all branches and wars and keep the memories of our World War II soldiers alive.
In their cozy kitchen, they have a Bench of Honor where the soldiers sat during the war. Today, all visitors get to sit on the bench. Sitting on that bench enjoying warm soup on a rain day, Mathilde told me they had no legacy plan. Meaning when they passed away, there was no plan for the museum to continue. Fast forward to today and there still is no plan, but one man, Tom Stein, is trying to change that.
Tom Stein, a retired Army Doctor, visited the M&M’s multiple times while he was stationed in Germany. He made it his mission to tell their story and is also attempting to get an American foundation to fund and run the Remember Museum when the time is right so the stories, photos, and all of Marcel’s hard work, are not lost to history. To help achieve his goal, he spent countless hours interviewing M&M and local Belgians in order to write a book called, Gratitude is Not Enough.
Having visited the museum and met the M&M’s I was particularly interested in Tom’s book. I read it before going to Cantigny, where the 1st Division Museum is, in Winfield, Illinois last week.
Tom told the audience the story of World War II in Belgium in general and as it related to the Schmetz family. We learned about each of the Schmetz family members and the traumas they endured during the annexation of their part of Belgium to Germany. He told us about local citizens he had interviewed.
We also learned about the 1st Infantry Division and their stay at the Schmetz farm in the weeks that preceeded the Battle of the Bulge. The audience also learned of the love story between Marcel and Mathilde and the start of the Remember Museum. While I knew the story, reading the book and listening to Tom speak did make me shed a few tears. It’s vital we remember those who fought to liberate Europe. Tom is helping do this.
The photo gallery contains photos from my October 2015 visit to the museum.
The Fate of Small European Museums
Having visited many small European military museums, I do wonder how many will survive when their owners pass. I wonder what will happen to their collections and knowledge. I also realize that not all will be saved. Maybe we can contribute to the preservation of just one museum. How can you help? By ordering a book and spreading the word.
Order a Book
Please note if you purchase a copy of this book, All proceeds from book sales will be donated to the Remember 39-45 Museum which figures prominently in the story.
Read more about my visit to the museum in 2015 on my WWII Research & Writing Center website.
Such important work, Jennifer. Thanks for sharing. Keep doing important work.