American forces that fought in Europe during World War II are far from forgotten in the towns and villages they helped to liberate. Pfc. Philip W. Weis, who served with the 328th Infantry Regiment, 26th Infantry Division, died January 6, 1945 during heavy fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. His family chose to have him buried in Luxembourg American Cemetery, not far from where his grandfather had been born—Insenborn, Luxembourg.

More than 30 years after Philip’s death, a local citizen by the name of Fernand Weis (no relation to Philip) found his dog tags, and formed a friendship with members of Philip’s family living in Minnesota.

Earlier this month, Fernand brought his friend Gerard Streitz with him to the cemetery nearly 40 years after finding those dog tags. Since 1977 Fernand has been visiting the cemetery to honor a man he never knew, but happens to share a last name with.