Robert M. Edsel

I’m looking forward to joining History Happy Hour today for a conversation about the Netherlands in World War II, the extraordinary legacy of remembrance at Margraten, and the stories behind Remember Us.

We go LIVE in one hour at 4pm ET—hope you’ll join us from your living room, office, or wherever you are.

🔗WATCH LIVE HERE: https://www.facebook.com/events/995013319878499

We are honored to see the Forever Promise Project featured in the May 2026 issue of The American Legion Magazine introducing this mission to more than two million readers across the United States.

We are deeply grateful to Jeff Stoffer, editor of “The American Legion Magazine,” for his interest in the project, his thoughtful article, and his help in bringing this story to so many American veterans and families. The article also includes an interview with U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Joseph Popolo (U.S. Embassy The Hague), who describes the Netherlands American Cemetery as “a constant reminder of our transnational relationship.”

Speaking about the Dutch grave adoption program (Stichting Adoptie Graven Amerikaanse Begraafplaats Margraten) and the mission of the Forever Promise Project, Ambassador Popolo shared that Robert M. Edsel's “Remember Us” is a book he gives to guests at his residence because “it speaks so eloquently to the relationship between our two countries…and, most importantly, our sacrifice to free Europe.”

As national awareness of the Forever Promise Project grows, so too does our ability to reconnect more American families with the Dutch adopters who have honored their loved ones for generations.

With your support, that work will continue.

Second Lieutenant James George Newman grew up in Highland Park, Texas, not far from where I live. He graduated from Highland Park High School in 1941, attended Texas A&M, and went on to serve as a pilot in the U.S. Army Air Forces.

On November 20, 1944, his aircraft was hit by intense anti-aircraft fire over Germany. A fellow pilot later recalled hearing him over the radio say he had been hit and was going down. Moments later, his plane crashed along the Saar River. He was 21 years old.

Today, Lt. Newman is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten.

For more than 80 years, a Dutch family has honored his life and sacrifice.

But they have never met his family.

This Memorial May, we are working to change that.

If you recognize the name James George Newman, or know his family, please reach out or share this post. Someone out there may be the missing connection to help us complete this promise.