– PRESS RELEASE –
On May 24, U.S. Embassy Luxembourg, together with the American Battle Monuments Commission, held the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg, commemorating the men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service.
“On Memorial Day, we honor those whose sacrifice secured our freedom and pledge to defend the peace they forged. Today, our collective security relies on the readiness of every Ally. Europe, and every nation within it, including Luxembourg, must continue to step up and strengthen its investment in its own defense. It is a modest price to safeguard the freedoms earned through such profound sacrifice,” said Michael Konstantino, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires.
The ceremony commenced with the presenting of the colors and a flyover by the 37th Airlift Squadron of the 86th Airlift Wing based at Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany. Remarks were made by the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, Michael Konstantino, Her Excellency Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, and Brig. Gen. Troy D. Havener, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Air Forces Europe.
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 Government of Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies, the Luxembourg 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.
The official party included Michael Konstantino, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, and Mr. Shalom Konstantino, Her Excellency Sasha Baillie, Marshal of the Royal Court for His Royal Highness the Grand Duke, Her Excellency Yuriko Backes, Minister of Defense, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, His Excellency Fernand Etgen, Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies, His Excellency Marc Thewes, President of the Council of State, Mr. Claude Radoux, member of the Luxembourg City Council, Brig. Gen. Troy D. Havener, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Air Forces Europe, Col. Pascal Ballinger, Vice Chief of Defense of the Luxembourg Armed Forces, Major Justin Smith, Assistant Army Attaché, U.S. Embassy to the Kingdom of Belgium, and Chaplain Capt. James L. Dance, Region Program Director of Religious Ministries of the United States Navy.
The Ceremony concluded with a gun salute by the 52d Fighter Wing Honor Guard of the U.S. Air Force, Taps, and the national anthems performed by the bands of the Luxembourg Army and U.S. Air Forces in Europe, ending with the benediction from Chaplain Capt. James Dance and the retiring of the colors.
BACKGROUND
About Memorial Day:
Memorial Day, observed in the United States on the last Monday of May, honors the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it began following the U.S. Civil War as a remembrance of the fallen from that conflict and was formally recognized in 1868. After World War I, the day came to honor all those who had died in military service and became known as Memorial Day. In 1971, the U.S. Congress established Memorial Day as a federal holiday to be observed on the last Monday in May. Many Americans observe the holiday by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades to remember and show gratitude for those who died in the service of their country.
PHOTOS: Flickr https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjCfn1g