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I Have Been to Belgium

Brugge, Menin Gate and the War Graves

By: Luangi
Written on January 22nd, 2008

I went to Brugge last year I believe. At the same time, we visited the Menin Gate and the war graves. The name of it decieves me at the moment. But there was this register thing that had the names of the soldiers who were identified. And loads of people were checking to see if anyone shared their surname with the people listed in the books. I wasn't too bothered and just walked around looking at all these graves - which mostly didn't have names on at all. Then a friend I was with rushed up and told me someone shared their surname with me in the book. Which was surprising. My surname, I shan't say it, but it isn't your every day surname. Very rare. Who knows, I told my Grandma about it once I got back and she said that it was very strange and would have to look it up.

The Menin Gate (in Ypres) has all the the names of the dead/missing soldiers who's body was never found or identified.

By: Luangi
Age: 18-21 , Female
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3 responses
  • Wig4
    Wig4

    You can spend a month with ease, in Belgium :-) There is WAY MORE then just WW1 history.... Of coarse, we appreciate a lot that the Brittish and Americans visit "Flanders Fields" , but when it shows out that this was the only place they really "did" in Belgium , we're not very pleased the sole purpose of a visit to Belgium was national Uk or US patriotism .....

    People, Belgium is a LIVING country. Not a graveyard....

    Apr 16, 2012
    1 like
  • stefaanvandamme
    stefaanvandamme

    when they find a body and when they are able to recover the identity, the name is removed from the gate.



    Have you listened to the Last Post ?

    May 30, 2010
    2 likes
  • AngelJ
    AngelJ

    I have just come back from Belgium. I visited Ypres and did a tour of the battlefields and visited the Flanders Fields museum. It was very moving. I hope to go back there soon.

    Nov 7, 2009
    2 likes