News

ABMC observes Veterans Day throughout the world

On Veterans Day, November 11, 2021, ABMC hosted ceremonies in honor of the service of the thousands of American troops buried and memorialized at our sites across the globe.

Ceremonies were hosted in many of our cemeteries, during which staff members alongside officials, guests, and/or visitors observed a moment of silence and laid wreaths in honor of their dedication and service. From Europe to North Africa to the Philippines, our Veterans Day ceremonies honored the service, selflessness and commitment of our veterans, past and present.

While Normandy American Cemetery welcomed WWII veteran John T. Siewert, the ceremony at Somme American Cemetery was graced by Morgan Gray, great great niece of Pvt. Theodore Frisse who is buried alongside the other WWI fallen who rest at the cemetery. A few miles to the west, active duty Marines from the detachment of the U.S. Embassy Paris, spent the day at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in support of the ceremony there. In Italy, at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Charge D’Affaires Thomas Smitham from the U.S. Embassy Rome gave a speech to an attendance composed of visitors and a large group from the Naples Navy Chiefs Association. In South-East Asia, a ceremony took place at Clark Veterans Cemetery, and a virtual tribute was filmed from Manila American Cemetery.

ABMC honors thousands of American Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, Airmen as well as other service members, from the Mexican-American War and Civil War, to World War I, World War II, the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

U.S. Marines from the detachment of the U.S. Embassy Paris at Aisne-Marne American Cemetery

 

Locals visited Ardennes American Cemetery to honor our fallen servicemembers
Minnesota Governor Watz at the grave of a Minnesota soldier at Brookwood American Cemetery (©Antony McCallumWyrdLight Photography)

 

Wreaths are about to be laid at Cambridge American Cemetery

 

Veterans Day ceremony at Clark Veterans Cemetery

 

Charge d'Affaires Stewart Tuttle at Corozal American Cemetery (©U.S. Embassy Panama)

 

Officials, military troops and visitors gathered at Epinal American Cemetery

 

Wreaths were laid at Florence American Cemetery in honor of Veterans Day

 

American flags were placed among the cemetery at Mexico City National Cemetery

 

U.S. Marines laid a wreath at Luxembourg American Cemetery (©U.S. Embassy Luxembourg)

 

Normandy American Cemetery welcomed WWII veteran John T. Siewert

 

ABMC representative David Simons, U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Donald Blome, and DPAA Director Kelly McKeague at North Africa American Cemetery (©U.S. Embassy Tunis)

 

The ceremony at Oise-Aisne American Cemetery was held in presence of Sonny Kilmer, whose relative Sgt. Joyce Kilmer is buried in the cemetery (©Béatrice Dahm)

 

Charge D’Affaires Thomas Smitham from the U.S. Embassy Rome was present at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery

 

​​​​​​The ceremony at Somme American Cemetery honored Pvt. Theodore Frisse

On Veterans Day and every day, we remember their sacrifice, and thank both our past and present veterans.