US Memorial Day Ceremony 2025 Held in Luxembourg-Hamm

On Saturday 24 May 2025, the US Embassy in Luxembourg, together with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), held the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Cemetery in Luxembourg-Hamm, commemorating the men and women who sacrificed their lives in military service.

“On Memorial Day, we honour 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 defence. It is a modest price to safeguard the freedoms earned through such profound sacrifice,” said Michael Konstantino, the US Chargé d’Affaires.

The ceremony commenced with the Presentation of Colours and a flyover by the 37th Airlift Squadron of the 86th Airlift Wing based at Ramstein Air Force Base, in Germany. There were speeches by the US Chargé d'Affaires, Michael Konstantino, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Yuriko Backes, and Brigadier General Troy D. Havener, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Air Forces Europe.

At the 2025 Memorial Day ceremony held at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, Minister Backes paid tribute to the fallen and underscored the enduring bond between Luxembourg and the United States. “Today, we gather at the Luxembourg American Cemetery, a place of profound significance, a place of solemn beauty. We stand among the graves of over 5,000 American soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II. Their sacrifice, but also their courage and devotion will never be forgotten,” she stated.

Minister Backes reflected on the shared history and ongoing solidarity between Luxembourg and the US, particularly in the context of present-day global conflicts. She reaffirmed Luxembourg’s support for Ukraine and its commitment to defence investment, noting that the country is on track to meet the 2% NATO pledge by the end of 2025.

USAFE Brigadier General Troy D. Havener also delivered a poignant address during the ceremony, emphasising sacrifice, shared values and enduring alliances: “Each of us can honour the fallen. It’s a debt that can never be repaid, but we can honour the fallen by living by the values of freedom, justice, equality, democracy and liberty that they secured for us.”

In his remarks, General Havener recalled the story of the eight-man crew of a B-26 Marauder named Little Jan, which was shot down during the Battle of the Bulge – seven of whom are interred at the cemetery. He honoured their courage and that of more than 5,000 American service members buried in Luxembourg, calling them defenders of “core principles that two and a half centuries ago, America was founded upon.”

He further underlined the “unshakable bond” between Luxembourg, the United States and their allies, stressing the enduring relevance of collective remembrance and unity in upholding the freedoms for which these service members gave their lives.

The official party then took part in a wreath laying ceremony, which included wreaths presented for Luxembourg’s Grand Duke, the United States of America, the Government of Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Chamber of Deputies (parliament), the Luxembourg Council of State, the City of Luxembourg, the past and present men and women of the United States Armed Services and the American Battle Monuments Commission.

The official party included: Michael Konstantino, Chargé d’Affaires at the US Embassy in Luxembourg, and Shalom Konstantino; Sasha Baillie, Marshal of the Grand Ducal Court; Yuriko Backes, Luxembourg’s Minister of Defence, Minister for Mobility and Public Works, and Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity; Fernand Etgen, Vice-President of the Chamber of Deputies; Marc Thewes, President of the Council of State; Claude Radoux, member of the Luxembourg City Council; Brigadier General Troy D. Havener, Air National Guard Assistant to the Commander, United States Air Forces in Europe; Colonel Pascal Ballinger, Vice Chief of Defence of the Luxembourg Armed Forces; Major Justin Smith, Assistant Army Attaché at the US Embassy in Belgium; Chaplain Captain 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 US Air Force, Taps and the national anthems performed by the bands of the Luxembourg Army and US Air Forces in Europe, ending with the benediction from Chaplain Captain James Dance and the retiring of the Colours.