ABMC pays heartfelt tribute to America's fallen overseas during Memorial Day, a hundred years after it was created
More than 500,000 Americans lost their lives in World War I and World War II defending freedom and democracy far from home. The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) continues to honor the more than 200,000 fallen who are buried or memorialized at its 26 cemeteries throughout the world.
Coinciding with ABMC’s centennial anniversary, this year's Memorial Day events also included unique elements to highlight and commemorate the enduring legacy of our fallen and ABMC’s continued promise to preserve that legacy into the next 100 years. The ceremony at Flanders Field American Cemetery, Belgium, was livestreamed through the Commission's social accounts.
Children from the surrounding area were present to honor America's fallen - a tradition that has never wavered since the first Memorial Day ceremonies hosted soon after World War I. Former U.S. Poet Laureate Natasha Trethewey echoed that gesture by unveiling a newly-composed poem in memory of our fallen, which harkened back to the famed 1915 by Archibald Mac Leish poem, “The young dead soldiers do not speak, in honor of his brother Kenneth Mac Leish who is buried at Flanders Field American Cemetery.
Each and every day, ABMC staff throughout the world honor America’s fallen service members overseas and continue to share the stories of service and sacrifice of those we honor and memorialize. Memorial Day is a day when we join with our partners to collectively remember. This centennial year for ABMC was no exception.
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ABMC Acting Superintendent Sean Long (first from left), ABMC Secretary Charles K. Djou (third from left) honor the World War II fallen at Ardennes American Cemetery during this year's Memorial Day ceremony.
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Chaplain (Col.) Robert Allman, assigned to the 21st Theater Support Command, thanks a member of the French honor guard following the Memorial Day ceremonies at Epinal American Cemetery, France, on May 28, 2023. U.S. Army photo by Arthur McQueen.
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Graves are decorated for Memorial Day at Flanders Field American Cemetery. Photo: ABMC.
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ABMC Secretary Charles K. Djou greets Belgian flag bearers present to honor the World War II fallen at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery during this year's Memorial Day ceremony. Photo: ABMC.
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Volunteers from local U.S. military bases place flags at Luxembourg American Cemetery ahead of Memorial Day ceremony. Photo: ABMC.
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U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Ambassador MaryKay L. Carlson delivers speech during Memorial Day ceremony at Manila American Cemetery. Photo: ABMC.
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U.S. Army Soldiers assigned to United States Army Europe retire the colors during the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery ceremony in Romagne-sous-Montfaucon, France, May 28, 2023. U.S. Army photo by Army Sergeant Willie Reese IV.
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A child places a U.S. flag at Mexico City National Cemetery during ahead of Memorial Day ceremony. Photo: Mauricio Renteria FOTOGRAFÍA for ABMC.
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Headstones are decorated with flags and flowers for Memorial Day at Netherlands American Cemetery. Photo: ABMC
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ABMC Commissioner Matthew E. Jones places a wreath in honor of the fallen during the Memorial Day ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery. Photo: ABMC.
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ABMC Commissioner Raymond D. Kemp Sr. lays a wreath on behalf of ABMC at North Africa American Cemetery during the Memorial Day ceremony. Photo: ABMC.
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Gardeners from Rhone American Cemetery clean the headstones ahead of Memorial Day. Photo: ABMC
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U.S. and Italian flags are placed at the foot of each headstone at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. Photo: MC1 Cameron C. Edy, U.S. Naval Forces Europe and Africa.
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Officials and guests are standing while the Memorial Day ceremony starts at Somme American Cemetery. Photo: ABMC.
