Memorial Day Ceremony Held in Luxembourg

On Saturday 27 May 2023, the US Embassy Luxembourg, together with the American Battle Monuments Commission, held the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg-Hamm, 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 US Ambassador, Tom Barrett, said.
 
The ceremony commenced with the presenting of the colours by the MCESG, Region 5, United States Marine Corps, the 726th Air Mobility Squadron Honor Platoon and the Luxembourg Army Colour Guard. The invocation was given by the Cardinal Archbishop of Luxembourg, Jean-Claude Hollerich. Remarks were made by the US Ambassador to Luxembourg, Tom Barrett, Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister 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 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 organisations and authorities.
 
The official party also included 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, Christophe Schiltz, the President of the Council of State, Lydie Polfer, Mayor of the City of Luxembourg, Colonel Pascal Ballinger, Deputy Chief of Defence, and Ad Maj Steve Ries, representing the Luxembourg Army, Colonel Scott Adams, Air Attaché, representing US Embassies of Belgium and Luxembourg, and Chaplain Lt. Commander Aaron R. Wesson.
 
The Ceremony concluded with a gun salute by the 3rd Squadron, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, US Army, Taps, and the national anthems performed by the US 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 colours.