439: How Do You Thank Those Who Gave Their Lives for Your Freedom?
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Guest
Robert M. Edsel is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of five non-fiction books, including Rescuing da Vinci, Saving Italy, and The Monuments Men, which served as the basis for Academy Award recipient George Clooney’s 2014 film. His most recent book, Remember Us: American Sacrifice, Dutch Freedom, and a Forever Promise Forged in World War II, was hailed by historian Donald L. Miller as “one of the outstanding works of our time.”
Mr. Edsel is also the Founder and Chairman of the Monuments Men and Women Foundation, a recipient of the National Humanities Medal, awarded by President George W. Bush. In 2025, coinciding with the release of Remember Us, the Foundation launched The Forever Promise Project to connect American families of fallen service members buried at the Netherlands American Cemetery with the Dutch adopters who have honored their loved ones’ graves for generations, continuing Mr. Edsel’s commitment to honoring the service and sacrifice of American veterans.
The paperback edition is available on November 11, 2026.
Summary
In this episode of Getting Unstuck: Cultivating Curiosity, Robert discusses his book Remember Us, which explores the history of the powerful relationship between American sacrifice and Dutch gratitude during and after World War II.
Ordinary people can make an extraordinary difference. In the Netherlands, local residents created a grave adoption program to honor American service members who died liberating their country. Within 14 months, volunteers had adopted all 18,000 graves, promising to remember the fallen as their own. That commitment continues across generations.
Remembrance must include the full human story. Robert describes the brutal work of burying the dead, including the contributions of segregated Black American troops. Their experiences illuminate both their service and the contradictions that exist within American democracy.
Freedom carries obligations. The Dutch have preserved the memory of American sacrifice for more than 80 years. Robert argues that their example challenges us to understand the cost of freedom, honor those who secured it, and take responsibility for preserving democracy.
The Takeaway
Freedom is not simply inherited; it is secured through sacrifice and preserved through responsibility. Robert's central message is that the Dutch grave adoption program offers a powerful example of how ordinary people can honor those sacrifices, keep history alive, and inspire future generations to protect democracy.
Social Media
Instagram: @RobertEdsel
Facebook: @RobertEdselAuthor
LinkedIn: @RobertEdsel
X: @RobertEdsel
Websites: www.robertedsel.com, www.mmwf.org, www.foreverpromise.org
What can you do to help carry out the mission?
Become an ambassador. “The Forever Promise Project” and the grave adoption program survive and thrive by raising awareness of the mission. Many of these soldiers’ families in the United States are unaware of this unique grave adoption program, having no knowledge that a family in the Netherlands has been caring for their loved one’s grave for generations.
The Ambassador Toolkit makes it easy to take action that may open doors to reaching families and creating lasting connections—whether by sharing stories on social media, writing op-eds, or pitching and connecting us with local journalists or publications in your area.
https://www.foreverpromise.org/support/toolkit
Donate. Help support the program’s ongoing mission.
https://www.foreverpromise.org/support/donate-online
About Jeff
Jeff Ikler is the Director of Quetico Leadership and Career Coaching. “Quetico” (KWEH-teh-co). He works with leaders in all aspects of life to identify and overcome obstacles in their desired future. He came to the field of coaching after a 35-year career in educational publishing. Prior to his career in educational publishing, Jeff taught high school U.S. history and government.
Jeff has hosted the “Getting Unstuck—Cultivating Curiosity” podcast for 5 years. The guests and topics he explores are designed to help listeners think differently about the familiar and welcome the new as something to consider. He is also the co-host of the Cultivating Resilience – A Whole Community Approach to Alleviating Trauma in Schools, which promotes mental health and overall wellness.
Jeff co-authored Shifting: How School Leaders Can Create a Culture of Change. Shifting integrates leadership development and change mechanics in a three-part change framework to help guide school leaders and their teams toward productive change.
Show Credits
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