BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - ECPv6.18.2//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.abmc.gov
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/New_York
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20140309T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20141102T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20150308T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20151101T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20160313T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20161106T060000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0500
TZOFFSETTO:-0400
TZNAME:EDT
DTSTART:20170312T070000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0400
TZOFFSETTO:-0500
TZNAME:EST
DTSTART:20171105T060000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160529T034500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160529T034500
DTSTAMP:20250410T152631Z
CREATED:20160528T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152631Z
UID:32918-1464493500-1464493500@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Aisne-Marne American Cemetery hosted its Memorial Day ceremony on Sunday May 29\, 2016 at 9:45am. \n\n\n\nWelcome Message\nSuperintendent Shane J. Williams\n\n\nMarseillaise and Star Spangled Banner\n\n\nIntroductory Remarks\nDr. Michael K. Simpson\, AOMDA\n\n\nAddress\nNadia Crapart\, Mayor of Belleau\, France\n\n\nWWI Centennial Reading\nStudents from the Rotary International\n\n\nPrayer\nChaplain Hamza Gharbi\, 41st Signal Regiment attached to the Groupement de Soutien de\nla Base de Défense de Lille\n\n\nPrayer\nCommander John Logan\, 6th Marine Regiment\n\n\nWWI Biographies’ Project\nStudents from the Jean de la Fontaine High School\n\n\nMemorial Address\nGénéral de Corps d’Armée Francis Autran\, representative of the Chief of Staff of the French Army\n\n\nMemorial Address\nGeneral Robert B. Neller\, Commandant of the United States Marine Corps\n\n\nWreath Laying\n\n\nFiring of Volleys\, Taps\, Raising of Colors\n\n\nConcert by the French and American Units\n\n\nReview of Flag Bearers and Departure of Officials\n\n\nParticipation\nAmerican Marines:\nHonor Platoon: 6th Marine Regiment\nMusic: 2nd Marine Division Band \nFrench Army:\nHonor Platoon: 21st Marine Infantry Regiment\,\nMusic: The Musique Principale des Troupes de Marine \nMusic during the Reception:\nThe Union Musicale of Château-Thierry and the U.S. Marine Corps Band \nExhibition during the Reception: The Senior high school students from the Jean de la Fontaine High School of Chateau-Thierry
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-aisne-marne-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/DSC_0379.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T200000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T200000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152630Z
CREATED:20160528T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152630Z
UID:32919-1464465600-1464465600@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Manila American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Manila American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday\, May 29\, 2016 at 8:00 a.m. \n\n\n\nPresentation of Colors\nPhilippine Army and United States Marine Corps\n\n\nNational Anthems\nPhilippine Army Band\n\n\nInvocation\nElder Shayne M. Bowen\, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints\n\n\nRemarks\nLarry A. Adkison\, Superintendent\n\n\nFloral Offerings\nLt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda\, Acting Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines\nAmbassador Philip S. Goldberg\, United States Ambassador to the Philippines\nRepresentatives of Civic\, Military\, and Veterans’ Organizations\n\n\nOpening Remarks\nRobert F. Lane\, Trustee American Association of the Philippines\n\n\nMemorial Day Messages\nAmbassador Philip S. Goldberg\nLt. Gen. Glorioso V. Miranda\, Acting Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines\nCol. Charles A. Western\, Chief of Staff\, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Brigade\, U.S. Marine Corps\n\n\nMusical Selection \nPhilippine Army Band\n\n\nMemorial Prayers \nReverend  Kenneth D. Fuller\, United Pentecostal Church International\nBishop Arthur L. Jones\, Holy Trinity Church\nRabbi Eliyahu Azaria\, The Jewish Association of the Philippines\n\n\nNational Moment of Remembrance Tribute\nLilly E. Serpa\nJoseph M. Maristela\n\n\nBenediction\nFather Efren Jimenez\, OFM Santuario de San Antonio Parish\n\n\nCeremonial Salute\nPhilippine Army Honor Guard\n\n\nTaps\nPhilippine Army Band\n\n\nRetirement of Colors\nPhilippine Army and United States Marine Corps\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-manila-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/17.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T100000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152632Z
CREATED:20160528T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152632Z
UID:32920-1464429600-1464429600@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Henri Chapelle American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday\, May 28\, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. \n\n\n\nArrival of the Representative of His Majesty the King\n\n\nWelcome\nBobby Bell\, Superintendent of Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery\n\n\nInvocation\nU.S. Military Chaplain\n\n\nTribute\nJean-Claude Meurens\, Mayor of Aubel\n\n\nTribute\nVice Admiral John N. Christenson\, USN\, U.S. Military Representative to NATO\, Military Committee\n\n\nTribute\nThe Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer\, Ambassador of the U.S. Embassy in Belgium\n\n\nTribute\nChildren\, Conseil communal des Enfants de Aubel\n\n\nLaying of Wreaths\n\n\nVolleys * Taps * Raising of the Colors\n\n\nFly-over\n\n\nBenediction\nU.S. Military Chaplain\n\n\nBelgian National Anthem\n“La Brabançonne“\n\n\nAmerican National Anthem\n“The Star-Spangled Banner“\n\n\nMaster of Ceremonies\nDr. Jerome Sheridan – President\, AOMDA
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-henri-chapelle-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/IMG_3850.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T080000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T080000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152723Z
CREATED:20160528T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152723Z
UID:32921-1464422400-1464422400@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Luxembourg American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Luxembourg American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Saturday\, May 28\, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. \n\n\n\nArrival of the Official Party\nMaster of Ceremonies\, Superintendent Scott Desjardins\n\n\nPosting of the Colors\n52nd Fighter Wing Honor Guard\nLuxembourg Army Color Guard\nHonor Flight USAFE 726 AMS\nHonoro Platoon 18th MP Brigade\n\n\nOpening Remarks and Welcome\nScott Desjardins\n\n\nInvocation\nThe Very Reverand Jean Ehret\n\n\nRemarks\nU.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg David McKean\nMinister of Justice Felix Braz\n\n\nPrayer of Remembrance\n\n\n\nRemarks\nLt. Gen. Timothy M. Ray Commander\, 3rd Air Forces Ramstein Air Base\, Germany\n\n\nWreath Laying of the Official Party\n\n\nThe United States of America\nU.S. Ambassador to Luxembourg David McKean\n\n\nRoyal Family of Luxembourg\nHis Excellency Lucien Weiler\, Marshal of the Court\n\n\nChamber of Deputies\nSimone Beissel\, Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies\n\n\nGovernment of Luxembourg\nMinister of Justice Felix Braz\n\n\nCouncil of State\nGeorge Wivenes\, President of the Council of State\n\n\nCity of Luxembourg\nLydie Polfer\, Mayor of Luxembourg City\n\n\nArmed Forces of the United States\nLt. Gen. Timothy M. Ray Commander\, 3rd Air Forces Ramstein Air Base\, Germany\n\n\nWreath Laying by U.S. and Luxembourg Organizations\n\n\nCeremonial Volley\n52nd Fighter Wing\n\n\nTaps and National Anthems\nU.S. Air Force Europe\nLuxembourg Amry Band\nVeronika Ligeti\n\n\nBenediction\nCapt. Schraeder\, Chaplain\, 52nd Fighter Wing\, USAF\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-luxembourg-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/27035965350_e62d9161be_o-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160528T040000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152726Z
CREATED:20160528T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152726Z
UID:32922-1464408000-1464408000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Ardennes American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Ardennes American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day ceremony on Saturday\, May 28\, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. \n\n\n\nArrival of the Representative of His Majesty the King\n\n\nWelcome\nMichael Yasenchak\, Superintendent\, Ardennes American Cemetery\n\n\nInvocation\nUnited States Military Chaplain\n\n\nTribute\nVice Admiral John N. Christenson\, USN\, United States Military Representative\, NATO\n\n\nTribute\nArthur Cortis\, Mayor of Neupré\n\n\nTribute\nThe Honorable Denise Campbell Bauer Ambassador of the United States of America to the Kingdom of Belgium\n\n\nBelgian National Anthem\n“La Brabançonne“\nChildren from the schools of Rotheux\n\n\nAmerican National Anthem\n“The Star-Spangled Banner“\nChildren from the schools of Rotheux\n\n\nLaying of Wreaths\n\n\nVolleys * Taps * Raising of the Colors\n\n\nFly-over\n\n\nBenediction\nUnited States Military Chaplain\n\n\nNational Anthems\n\n\nMaster of Ceremonies\nJerome Sheridan- President\, AOMDA
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-ardennes-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/Attendance20saluting20the20anthems-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160522T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160522T100000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152728Z
CREATED:20160522T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152728Z
UID:32923-1463911200-1463911200@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Saint Mihiel American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday\, May 22\, 2016 at 4:00 p.m. \nAttendance was free and open to the public. \n\n\n\nMarseillaise and Star Spangled Banner\n\n\nWelcoming Remarks\nJeffrey Hays\, Superintendent\n\n\nIntroductory Remarks\nLilian Pfluke\, American Overseas Memorial Day Association\n\n\nInvocation\nFather Jean-Marie Amiot\, Toul Parish\n\n\nRemarks\nJean-Claude Dotte\, Thiaucourt Mayor\n\n\nSkit\n“The Air Service over the Salient” by the students of Ferdinand Buisson college-Thiaucourt\n\n\nRemarks\nPhilippe Mahe\, Nancy Prefect\n\n\nMemorial Day Address\nBrig. Gen. Robert A. Huston\, Assistant Vice Commander\, 3rd Air Force and 17th Expeditionary Air Forces in Europe\, Ramstein Air Base in Germany\n\n\nOffering of Wreaths\, Taps\, and Raising of the Colors\n\n\nBenediction\nChaplain Philippe Choucroun\n\n\nClosing Remarks\nLilian Pfluke\n\n\n\n 
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-saint-mihiel-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/Wreaths_laying.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160522T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160522T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152731Z
CREATED:20160522T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152731Z
UID:32924-1463893200-1463893200@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Memorial Day 2016 at Meuse Argonne American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery hosted its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Sunday\, May 22\, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. \nAttendance was free and open to the public. \n\n\n\nWelcoming Message\nDavid W. Bedford\, Superintendent\n\n\nIntroductory Remarks\nCol. Peter Herrly (Ret.)\n\n\nInvocation\nLt. Col. William C. Harrison\, Chaplain\, U.S. Army\nJean-Claude Levy\, Verdun Israelite Community\n\n\nAddress\nNicolas Raffa\, Mayor of Romagne-sous-Montfaucon\n\n\nAddress\nJean-Michel Mougard\, Prefect of the Meuse\n\n\nPoem\n“Hommage” by author Pascal Bouilleaux\n\n\nMemorial Address\nEdwin L. Fountain\, Vice-Chairman\, U.S. World War I Centennial Commission\n\n\nBenediction\nMichel Lesanne\, representing the Bishop of Verdun\n\n\nOffering of Wreaths\n\n\nMinute of Silence\, French and American Taps\n\n\nNational Hymns\n\n\nClosing Remarks\nCol. Peter Herrly (Ret.)\n\n\nAdditional Participants\nAmerican Bugler: TSgt Jeffrey C. Reich\, US Air Force\nFrench Band: Band of the Armored Cavalry\nAmerican Color Guard: Ramstein Base Honor Guard\, US Air Force\nFrench Troops: Section of Logistics Group of Verdun Defense Base\nFrench Cavalry Men from the Logistics Group of Verdun Defense Base\nMeuse Department Firemen\nGendarmerie Nationale\, Meuse Department
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/memorial-day-2016-meuse-argonne-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/MD2016_MA_WreathLaying.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160501T030000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160501T030000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152733Z
CREATED:20160430T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152733Z
UID:32925-1462071600-1462071600@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:The Faces of Margraten at Netherlands American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Netherlands American Cemetery  hosted the Faces of Margraten from May 1-5\, 2016. The Stichting Verenigde Adoptanten Amerikaanse Oorlogsgraven (Foundation United Adopters American War Graves) worked to create a unique tribute to the men and women buried or memorialized at the cemetery. They have been collecting photos in order to give a face to the names on the marble headstones and the Walls of the Missing. \nDuring the Faces of Margraten\, the photos were placed directly next to the headstone or wall. Visitors were able to walk through the cemetery and see the faces of the men and women that gave their lives in the fight to liberate the Netherlands. \nIn its second year\, this effort has collected more than 4\,000 photos.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/faces-margraten-netherlands-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/DSC0059-1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160409T130000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160409T130000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152735Z
CREATED:20160409T040000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152735Z
UID:32926-1460206800-1460206800@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Deputy Secretary Delivers Speech to VFW in Paris
DESCRIPTION:Deputy Secretary John Wessels’ remarks to VFW in Paris during Annual Gala\nAmbassador Nowakowski\, VFW Commanders Paolucci and Howard\, American Legion Paris Post 1 Commander Canady\, Colonels Kennedy and Steiner\, thank you to our Girl Scouts here tonight and good evening VFW members\, honored guests and friends. \nOn behalf of Secretary Max Cleland and American Ambassador Jane Hartley\, my wife Mary and I are honored to be with you all here tonight. \nBefore I talk about the American Battle Monuments Commission though\, I’d also like to thank\, personally\, our French colleagues and hosts: \nChers amis\, mon épouse Mary et moi-même sommes très heureux et reconnaissants d’être parmi vous ce soir\, dans ce lieu magnifique et chargé d’histoire. Depuis notre arrivée en France il y a deux ans\, nous avons été accueillis comme des amis proches venus de l’autre côté de l’Atlantique\, et nous sommes tombés sous le charme de la France\, de sa culture\, de sa langue et de ses habitants. Et en fait\, c’est un nouveau réveil\, car depuis deux cent cinquante ans\, la France peut compter sur l’amitié et le soutien de ses cousins américains. De Lafayette\, qui oeuvra pour la paix et la liberté\, à nos jours\, nous avons toujours été partenaires\, dans les bons et les mauvais moments. Aujourd’hui nous sommes à nouveau mis à l’épreuve à travers la guerre et le terrorisme\, mais nous restons côte à côte dans l’adversité. Aujourd’hui\, plus que jamais\, les liens indéfectibles de l’unité franco- américaine sont un exemple pour le reste du monde occidental. Ma famille et moi vous remercions pour tout ce que vous avez déjà fait\, pour tout ce que vous faites aujourd’hui et pour tout ce que nous continuerons de faire ensemble pour soutenir et défendre nos deux grands pays et nos peuples\, pour la cause d’une paix permanente et durable… \nGood evening everyone. As Deputy Secretary for Overseas Operations\, I am privileged to sit at the same desk once occupied by General John Blackjack Pershing\, General of American Armies during World War I and the first overseas leader for this organization. Since General Pershing’s time\, the mission of the American Battle Monuments Commission has expanded\, and now includes 25 national military cemeteries dedicated to World Wars I and II\, and 26 national memorials in 16 countries across Europe\, North Africa\, Central America and the Pacific. \nDuring our 93 year history\, ABMC has maintained pristine\, sacred and peaceful cemeteries; has greeted next of kin; and has overseen memorial events marking first\, the “Great War”\, and then World War II. This has been our mandate and we have carried it out–delivering green grass and white crosses and some of the most beautiful commemorative places on earth. And for most of our 93 years that has been enough…. \nReferring to our lost heroes from WWI\, General Pershing declared that “Time shall not diminish the glory of their Deeds.” But as more and more time passes between the events of these wars and today\, this statement\, I believe\, does not ring as true as one would hope. In fact\, time CAN diminish memories that are not shared\, and family stories that pass with their originator… \nAnd today\, with the guns of Verdun silent for nearly 100 years\, and the ghosts of Normandy and Point du Hoc and the Ardennes almost 73 years old\, a critical question for us to ask is: Who will care for the memories of these soldiers when appreciation for their courage begins to fade and the relevancy to current events dims? \nBecause the sad truth is\, time is the great equalizer\, and we must purposefully look to the future and for ways to remain relevant: relevant to generations of young people who know little of WWII much less WWI\, relevant to how our American cemeteries fit into communities that have grown up around us\, and relevant to how we can most effectively share these priceless and timeless stories of courage\, competence\, and sacrifice made here overseas and at home… \nAllow me to illustrate: \nThis is a Blue Service Star banner. If you were the mother or father of a young soldier or nurse serving in WWI or WWII\, you would have hung a banner like this featuring the distinctive blue star from your living room window. And if you had multiple children in the service\, you would have displayed one star for each. \nNow consider that when a young soldier or nurse was killed or lost in action: Does anyone remember seeing this in the movie “Saving Private Ryan?” You see the mother coming to the door to greet a visitor but collapses on the porch when she understands the nature of that visit is to deliver the worst possible news a mother could ever receive – the death of a son. And so\, you see the blue star transformed into: \nA gold star represents the ultimate sacrifice of an American in uniform who fell during war time. This is also the genesis of the term “Gold star” mothers – who traveled across the Atlantic to Europe for decades following WWI to visit their sons where they fell– to feel some sense of connection and peace. \nAnd the main role of ABMC for its first 93 years has been to manage these places that offer that opportunity for peace and sanctity… \nBut today\, that is not enough…. My mission\, my raison d’etre\, is to make sure that every one of those mother’s sons and father’s daughters is not only remembered\, but their stories known and told to new generations of visitors who may know little or nothing of these wars\, but who can still be inspired\, moved to reverence\, and compelled to think a while on the true cost of Service\, – a cost that most of you as Veterans have known and paid… \nImmediately following his experiences in WWI\, Archibald Macleish wrote a poem entitled: “Young dead soldiers” in which he wrote from the perspective of a fallen soldier: “We gave you our deaths\, Give\nthem their Meaning…” \nAnd THAT is the business we are in today\, more than ever – demonstrating respect\, honor and fidelity by telling their stories… \nToday\, ABMC is becoming more relevant and examples of this are multiplying rapidly…  In the Netherlands American Cemetery\, 100% of the 8\,301 graves have been “adopted” by local families from Margraten and the annual “Liberation” concert every September draws more than three thousand… \nIn addition\, our Overseas Operations Office is already making progress as we fully embrace new technology and tools for telling these stories on our website\, on Facebook\, on Instagram\, and on newly created Apps. We’re also writing books and shooting interpretative films. \nFurthermore\, ABMC has expanded visitor services and continues to do so. For the first 85 years of our history as an Agency\, we had no visitor service or outreach capacity. And then 8 years ago\, prompted by Congress\, we built the very popular Normandy Visitor Center – which now greets more than 1.5 million visitors a year. And over the past two and a half years\, we’ve dedicated new visitor facilities at Sicily-Rome and Cambridge American Cemeteries\, as well as a small contact station and interpretative pavilion at Point du Hoc. \nLooking to the immediate future\, in the next 18 months and in time to commemorate the US entry into WWI\, we will dedicate visitor centers at Flanders Field in Belgium\, at Meuse Argonne\, and the Chateau Thierry monument here in France. And\, within the next 3 years and for the first time in our history\, we will build a visitor center outside of Western Europe at the Manila American cemetery. There we will focus on sharing the stories of the war in the pacific and the 17\,000 buried there\, along with the 36\,000 names on the wall of the missing. \nSo\, while it is with sadness that we understand that time is the enemy of memories\, it is with hope and determination that we at the ABMC continue to work to keep these memories alive – as we always have by opening our cemeteries and monuments to all visitors\, and by creating and stewarding new opportunities for outreach . Our new facilities and focus on ‘telling the story’ make our sites more inviting and informative for young and old visitors alike. \nI am grateful to be serving in this mission and at this time in our shared history. In closing\, I have my own story to share\, one degree of separation if you will. \nDuring the closing days of WWII\, as the Germans fell back again and again and came closer to facing final defeat\, a young sergeant from the US Army’s 103rd Infantry Division wore this specific shoulder patch. \nThe 103rd were called the Cactus Division and they fought with distinction in the Vosges\, the\nBattle of the Bulge\, the Rhineland\, and Innsbruck. And one cold December night this young sergeant\nfrom the south side of Chicago wearing this patch\, was caught in a firefight leading his platoon in\nthe Ardennes. He was hit three times by a German machine gun. One bullet pierced his abdomen and\ntwo caught him in his right hip. And all that cold night he lay in no-mans land. His buddies tried\nto get to him but were turned \nback time and again. After several hours when they finally could reach their\nfriend\, they expected the worst\, but instead found one tough Irishman still holding onto life. The\nwinter snow had slowed his bleeding and the bullets\, while devastating\, had narrowly missed major\narteries which would have spelled certain death… \nThis young sergeant was my Uncle John\, and later that spring of 1944 he was sent back to a VA\nhospital in Chicago where he would recover slowly–though never fully– from his wounds. At that\nhospital he met and courted a young VA nurse–my Aunt Edna May–and married her shortly after his\nrelease. Together\, they raised 8 children. \nAnd so Today\, I keep this patch – my Uncle John’s patch – on my desk – General Pershing’s desk – as\na daily reminder of the personal sacrifice made by millions like him and like you\, to whom we owe\nour eternal gratitude\, and also\, of course\, to the many who never made it home to their families. \nThank you for serving your country. Thank you for supporting the ABMC and ALL of our veterans – not\nonly those who fought with the U.S. but all those who took up arms when called by their countries\nto fight for freedom\, and thank you for inviting me here tonight to be with you.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/deputy-secretary-delivers-speech-vfw-paris/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/Wessels_VFW_Speech-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20160122T040000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20160122T040000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152946Z
CREATED:20160121T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152946Z
UID:32927-1453435200-1453435200@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Anniversary Ceremony to Commemorate Landings at Anzio and Nettuno
DESCRIPTION:Sicily-Rome American Cemetery will hosts its annual ceremony to commemorate Operation Shingle\, codename for the Allied landings at Anzio and Nettuno\, on Monday\, January 22\, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. \nAntonio Taurelli\, a local Italian man who fought as a volunteer with the 82nd Airborne Division during World War II\, organizes the event. He became lifelong friends with an American lieutenant after saving his life\, and to this day\, Taurelli works to honor the men of the 82nd. \nLocal students will participate in the ceremony by reading poems\, sharing drawings\, and singing songs of remembrance. They then place a single red rose at the headstone of each member of the 82nd buried at the cemetery. Taurelli purchases these 242 red roses as a sign of thanks to his fallen comrades.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/anniversary-ceremony-commemorate-landings-anzio-and-nettuno/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151215T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151215T180000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152949Z
CREATED:20151215T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152949Z
UID:32928-1450202400-1450202400@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Battle of the Bulge 71st Anniversary Ceremony
DESCRIPTION:Luxembourg American Cemetery will host a ceremony on Wednesday\, December 16\, 2015 to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge. Attendance is free and open to the public. \n*The ceremony start time will be confirmed closer to the date of the event.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/battle-bulge-71st-anniversary-ceremony/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/16017423306_c3b75a121b_o-1-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151213T103000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151213T103000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152951Z
CREATED:20151213T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152951Z
UID:32929-1450002600-1450002600@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Holiday Lights at Epinal American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Epinal American Cemetery will host Holiday Lights on Sunday\, December 13\, 2015 at 4:30 p.m. Organized by the U.S. Memory Grand Est France\, a local group that manages the headstone adoption program at the cemetery\, participants will place candles at every headstone and name on the Wall of the Missing as a way to honor those at Epinal American Cemetery this holiday season.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/holiday-lights-epinal-american-cemetery/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T120000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T120000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152954Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152954Z
UID:32930-1447243200-1447243200@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Mexico City National Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Mexico City National Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-mexico-city-national-cemetery/
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T090000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T090000
DTSTAMP:20250410T152956Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152956Z
UID:32931-1447232400-1447232400@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Corozal American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Corozal American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 9:00 a.m.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-corozal-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/DSC06251.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T051500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T051500
DTSTAMP:20250410T152958Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T152958Z
UID:32932-1447218900-1447218900@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Chateau-Thierry American Monument
DESCRIPTION:Organized by the town of Chateau-Thierry\, an Armistice Day Ceremony was be held at Chateau-Thierry American Monument on Wednesday\, November 11\, 2015.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-chateau-thierry-american-monument/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/11-0120282129-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153000Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153000Z
UID:32933-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Netherlands American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Netherlands American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Participants from AFNorth International school and Air Force Junior ROTC participated in the ceremony.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-netherlands-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/Margraten20Photo.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153004Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153004Z
UID:32934-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Luxembourg American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Luxembourg American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. \nCeremony participants included: \n\nAn Honor Guard from the 52nd Fighter Wing.\nA Firing Detail from the 52nd Fighter Wing\nAn Honor Flight from the 52nd Fighter Wing\nA Chaplain from the 52nd Fighter Wing\nA Guest Speaker from the 3rd Air Force Headquarters.\nGuest Speaker: Allison Shorter-Lawrence\, Deputy Chief of Mission U.S. Embassy Luxembourg
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-luxembourg-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/Posting20Color-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153005Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153005Z
UID:32935-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Flanders Field American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Flanders Field American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony included: \n\nLaying of Wreaths\nPlaying of Taps\nReading of the President’s Veterans Day Proclamation\nReading of In Flanders Field poem\nMoment of Silence\nCarillon Concert\n\nCub Scouts from a local troop in Belgium participated in the ceremony.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-flanders-field-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/FFAC20Vets20Day204.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153008Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153008Z
UID:32936-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Florence American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Florence American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Members of the U.S. Air Force 731st Munitions Squadron from Camp Darby in Pisa\, Italy provided support for the ceremony\, and students from Harding University of Florence presented a wreath.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-florence-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/DSC09421.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153010Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153010Z
UID:32937-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Lorraine American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Lorraine American Cemetery will host a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m.\, organized by the American Legion Department of France.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-lorraine-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/American20Legion20-20Department20of20France1.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153012Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153012Z
UID:32938-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery hosted a portion of a Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. The ceremony was sponsored by the Mayors and Municipal Counsels of Montfaucon d’Argonne and Romagne-sous-Montfaucon. \nIt was held in three parts:\n-A wreath laying at the Monument to the Dead in Montfaucon at 10:00 a.m.\n-Reading of the U.S. Presidential Proclamation and the laying of wreaths at the chapel of the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery at 11:00 a.m.\n-Ceremony completed at the Monument to the Dead at Romagne at 11:30 a.m. \nA reception followed at the community hall.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-meuse-argonne-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/VD20201520b-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T050000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153014Z
CREATED:20151111T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153014Z
UID:32939-1447218000-1447218000@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at St. Mihiel American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:St. Mihiel American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Local officials along with a detachment from the Ramstein Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 1674 participated in the ceremony that included a wreath laying and the reading of the President’s Veterans Day Proclamation.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-st-mihiel-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/SMAC20-Vet20Day20201520-20wreaths20laying20-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T041500
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T041500
DTSTAMP:20250410T153016Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153016Z
UID:32940-1447215300-1447215300@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Oise-Aisne American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 10:15 a.m.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-oise-aisne-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/101_1635-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T033000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T033000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153019Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153019Z
UID:32941-1447212600-1447212600@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Epinal American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Epinal American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 9:30 a.m. During the course of the day local citizens visited the cemetery to bring flowers to their adopted gravesites.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-epinal-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/WP_20151111_14_52_11_Pro.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T030000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151111T030000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153021Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153021Z
UID:32942-1447210800-1447210800@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at North Africa American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:North Africa American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Representatives from the United States\, France\, Belgium\, Canada\, Greece\, the United Kingdom\, Italy\, the Netherlands\, Turkey\, Tunisia\, the Czech Republic\, and Egypt all attended this ceremony to honor our fallen.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-north-africa-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/6-Posting20of20the20colors20facing20VIP20party-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T220000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T220000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153023Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153023Z
UID:32943-1447192800-1447192800@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Manila American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Manila American Cemetery held its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. Organized by the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Veterans Affairs Manila\, more than 1\,000 attendees gathered at the cemetery for the ceremony.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-manila-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/IMG_2357.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T220000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T220000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153025Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153025Z
UID:32944-1447192800-1447192800@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Clark Veterans Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Clark Veterans Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. More than 200 guests gathered for the event\, which was organized by VFW Post 2485 and the American Legion Post 123.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-clark-veterans-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/IMG_0758_2.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T180000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153027Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153027Z
UID:32945-1447178400-1447178400@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Ardennes American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Ardennes American Cemetery hosted its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on November 11\, 2105. Organized by the U.S. Coast Guard Detachment in the Netherlands\, Lt. Cmdr. Jen Runion delivered remarks during the ceremony\, which also including a wreath laying\, a moment of silence\, reading of the President’s Veterans Day Proclamation\, and singing of the national anthem. After the ceremony\, the group proceeded to the gravesite of Apprentice Seaman Woodrow Elaman\, where Runion told his story.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-ardennes-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/DSC_0046.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T180000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153030Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153030Z
UID:32946-1447178400-1447178400@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:The Mayor of Belleau laid a wreath in the chapel at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery on behalf of the village of Belleau on November 11\, 2015. Image courtesy of Micheline Atkinson.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-aisne-marne-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/11-012028129-scaled.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20151110T180000
DTSTAMP:20250410T153256Z
CREATED:20151110T050000Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250410T153256Z
UID:32947-1447178400-1447178400@www.abmc.gov
SUMMARY:Veterans Day 2015 at Somme American Cemetery
DESCRIPTION:Local citizens and officials gathered at Somme American Cemetery to participate in the 2015 Veterans Day Ceremony.
URL:https://www.abmc.gov/event/veterans-day-2015-somme-american-cemetery/
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.abmc.gov/wordpress-uploads/IMG_0758.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR