Superintendent of Ardennes American Cemetery, Sergeant Major (Ret.) Hubert ‘Bert’ Caloud, a native of Clutier, pictured this past Memorial Day alongside the marker of Van Horne, Iowa native, Private Thomas Francis Bevins. Bevins’ marker is located in Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium. PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

BELGIUM – Clutier native and North Tama Class of 1972 graduate, Sergeant Major (Ret.) Hubert ‘Bert’ Caloud, U.S. Marines Corps, has lived and worked in a lot of places after joining the military more than a half century ago following his high school graduation. For the last 20 years, he has been employed as a civil servant for the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), currently serving as Superintendent of Ardennes American Cemetery in Neupré, Belgium. The cemetery, according to ABMC’s website, is one of three ABMC cemeteries in Belgium and one of two commemorating World War II. No specific campaign is tied to Ardennes; remains come from all areas of the war in the European and North African theaters.

On Memorial Day this year, Caloud spoke at one of the other two ABMC cemeteries in Belgium – Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial. Many will recognize the cemetery’s name due to the famous, often-quoted war poem “In Flanders Fields” by the late Canadian physician Lieutenant-Colonel John McCrae written during World War I.

Excerpts of Caloud’s stirring Memorial Day speech are printed below.

“My name is Hubert Caloud and I welcome you to this Memorial Day ceremony. I am the acting Superintendent of Flanders Field American Cemetery. I say “Acting” because my assigned ABMC position is Superintendent of the Ardennes American Cemetery at Neupre near Liege in the Wallon Region. I did not look at this occasion as an additional task. I embraced it and am happy as it’s a bit emotional for me to speak here. Nineteen years ago, Memorial Day 2005, I was the Superintendent of Flanders Field American Cemetery. I spoke at this podium and many of the people present two decades ago should be here today. … I remember Bill Matys, retired ABMC Superintendent who lived across the street and helped with the ceremonies. There may be some of the singing children who were 6-12 years old in 2004 who are here now in their late 20s or early 30s. At that time, we lived in the visitor building before moving to a private residence off site at Asastrat 42 in Waregem. The quarters have since been converted into the beautiful interpretive center it is today. Both my wife and I are very grateful to be here and for me to have the opportunity to speak on behalf of the American Battle Monuments Commission or the ABMC.”

“In 1923 over 100 years ago, the US Congress established the ABMC to commemorate the service and sacrifice of America’s Armed Forces since our entry into the First World War. General John J Pershing who commanded the American Expeditionary Force during World War I was our first ABMC Chairman. Our agency primarily fulfills its mission at 26 overseas American military cemeteries and 32 Memorials that are located in 17 countries around the world. Today, we have the honor of recognizing the service and sacrifice of 368 war dead buried here [at Flanders Field American Cemetery] and another 43 missing whose names are inscribed on the Walls of the Missing inside the Cemetery Chapel. Among these burials is Private Thomas Francis Bevins buried in Plot D Row 4 Grave 8 from the state of Iowa. He was killed on August 20, 1918, in the Canal region near Mount Kimmel west of Ypres serving in the 119th Infantry 30th Division. This is in the area where the ABMC maintains the beautiful Mount Kimmel American Monument. I have a personal connection to Private Bevins.”

Clutier native Hubert ‘Bert’ Caloud, speaks amid a downpour this past Memorial Day at Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium. PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

“I am from a small town in Iowa, growing up as a farm boy [much] like Thoms did. I was raised nearby in an adjacent county. He was born in the town of Van Horne and his entire family is buried in Keystone — both towns and a cemetery I know well. It is a very small world and humbling to see him here knowing his roots and that he is remembered and honored so reverently over 100 years after he died. Knowing that whether it is 100 years ago or 20 years ago, seeing this ceremony assures me that these heroes will be honored by American and Belgium people in perpetuity. Thank You.”

“They say that there is glory in war but in the combat I experienced, I didn’t see any. The glory I know of is how those who gave the last full measure of devotion are remembered. Whether speaking of World War I, World War II or more recent conflicts, “All That Remains of War Are The Memories of What Was Lost.” Today is the day we remember our dead, distinctly different than our Veterans Day when we remember all those who have served wearing our nation’s cloth. For me as an American to be here seeing other American and Belgium citizens honoring Americans who died over a century ago including someone close to my heart is emotional. I thank you from the bottom of my heart…for remembering them, telling stories of those who cannot speak, honoring their sacrifice, loving them in perpetuity for all they gave. Although we can never fully repay our debt to them, we can, and must, honor their sacrifice. By doing so, we respect General Pershing’s hope, ‘That time will not dim the Glory of their Deeds.‘”

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD

The World War I Kemmel American Monument in Belgium. PHOTO COURTESY OF BERT CALOUD