Paying tribute to a hero, John F. McAtee, Company A, 551 Parachute Infantry Battalion:
It’s a cold chilly morning June 12th 2010, when we visit Henri-Chapelle war cemetery to pay tribute to a fallen hero
of WWII. John McAtee was a private in the mighty 551 Parachute Infantry Battalion. Joe Chiccinelli, a veteran of the
551 PIB who served in the same company as John, recently got into contact with a family member of John McAtee.
The nephew had never been able to visit the gravesite of his uncle, so Joe decided to visit Henri-Chapelle and take pictures for him. Joe was
accompanied by his buddy Marco Eradus and a small group who were staying in the same Bed & Breakfast in Grandmenil.
Marco and Joe went to the office at Henri-Chapelle to see if they could get more information about John McAtee for the family. They received
a family package which they could send to the cousin. We left the office and walked towards the grave of Pvt John F McAtee. When we arrived
at the grave, Marco made the name clearer with sand and placed the Belgian and US flag in front of the grave.
Joe took some time apart with his fallen brother in arms, talked to him, said a prayer and made a salute.
Pvt John F. McAtee is burried in Plot G, Row 7, Grave 68. May he and his brothers in arms never be forgotten.