Press Release

American Battle Monuments Commission sites in Belgium closing as COVID-19 precaution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Press release

 

American Battle Monuments Commission sites in Belgium closing as COVID-19 precaution

In keeping with guidance from authorities, all American Battle Monuments Commission sites in Belgium will temporarily close beginning Monday, Nov. 2, 2020

 

ARLINGTON, Va. (Oct. 31, 2020) – This Monday, Nov. 2. 2020, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) will temporarily close its sites in Belgium per local authority guidance.

In March 2020, ABMC closed all sites based on local and U.S. guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the health and safety of our staff and visitors. Per authorities in Belgium, ABMC will again temporarily close Ardennes American Cemetery, Flanders Field American Cemetery and Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and nearby Monuments to align with country-specific requirements.

With 26 cemeteries and 30 federal monuments in 17 countries, ABMC continues to closely monitor potential impacts of COVID-19 and adjust its operating status based on local and U.S. guidance in each country. A list of current site closures during this difficult time is available at  our website at abmc.gov.

While sites may be closed due to COVID-19, we continue our sacred mission to honor the service, achievements, and sacrifice of the more than 200,000 U.S. service members buried and memorialized at our sites. For more information about our mission, as well as the operational status of ABMC sites, we encourage the public to follow us on our ABMC social media platforms and to visit our website at abmc.gov.

If you are Next-of-Kin and have questions regarding the operating status of ABMC sites, please contact us at publicaffairs@abmc.gov for more information.

About American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC):

The American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) operates and maintains 26 cemeteries and 30 federal memorials, monuments, and commemorative plaques in 17 countries throughout the world, including three memorials in the United States. Since April 6, 1917, ABMC’s sacred mission remains to honor the service, achievements, and sacrifice of more than 200,000 U.S. service members buried and memorialized at our sites. For more information about ABMC, visit abmc.gov.

Media Contact

Media members requiring additional information may contact the ABMC Public Affairs Office:

Alison Bettencourt                                                      Hélène Chaulin

Office: 703-696-6789                                                    Office: +33 (0)1 40 75 27 55

Cell: 703-677-5041                                                       Cell: +33 (0)6 38 13 56 25

Email: bettencourta@abmc.gov                                    Email: chaulinh@abmc.gov