On May 27, the U.S. Embassy Luxembourg, together with the American Battle Monuments Commission, held the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, commemorating the men and women laid to rest there who sacrificed their lives in military service.
“On Memorial Day, we are reminded of the ultimate sacrifice of our service members, we are also reminded of our own duty to protect the legacy of our fallen heroes. Their legacy is our freedom. War on European soil once again has made the stakes clear: we must all do our part to ensure that freedom can prevail, not only in Ukraine but everywhere and always,” the U.S. Ambassador Tom Barrett said.
The ceremony commenced with the presenting of the colors by the MCESG, Region 5, United States Marine Corps, the 726th Air Mobility Squadron HonorPlatoon and the Luxembourg Army Color Guard. The invocation was given by His Eminence Monseigneur, the Cardinal Archbishop of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Hollerich. Remarks were made by the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, Tom Barrett, His Excellency Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Minister of State, Minister for Communications and Media, Minister for Religious Affairs, Minister for Digitization, Minister for Administrative Reform, representing the Government of Luxembourg, and Lieutenant General John D. Lamontagne, Deputy Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, representing the Armed Forces of the United States. The Prayer of Remembrance was read by Mr. David Dana, representing the Jewish Consistory of Luxembourg.
The official party then took part in a wreath laying ceremony, which included wreaths presented for HRH the Grand Duke, the United States of America, the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies, the Government of Luxembourg, the Council of State, the City of Luxembourg, the Men and Women of the United States Armed Services- past and present, and the American Battle Monuments Commission, followed by several local organizations and authorities.
The official party included Tom Barrett, the U.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg, His Excellency Paul Dühr, the Marshal of the Royal Court for His Royal Highness the Grand Duke, His Excellency Fernand Etgen, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, His Excellency Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Minister of State, Minister for Communications and Media, Minister for Religious Affairs, Minister for Digitization, Minister for Administrative Reform, representing the Government of Luxembourg, Lieutenant General John D. Lamontagne, Deputy Commander of the United States Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, representing the Armed Forces of the United States, The Honorable Christophe Schiltz, the President of the Council of State, The Honorable Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, His Eminence the Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich, Archbishop of Luxembourg, Colonel Pascal Ballinger, Deputy Chief ofDefense, and Ad Maj Steve Ries, representing the Luxembourg Army, Colonel Scott Adams, Air Attaché, representing U.S. Embassies of Belgium and Luxembourg, Mr David Dana, representing the Jewish Conservatory, and Chaplain Lt. Commander Aaron R. Wesson.
The Ceremony concluded with a gun salute by the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, U.S. Army, Taps, and the national anthems performed by the U.S. Army in Europe Band and the Luxembourg Army Band, ending with the benediction from Chaplain Lt. Commander Aaron R. Wesson and the retiring of the colors.
Photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usembassyluxembourg/albums/72177720308614149
