In France, Adm. Stuart B. Munsch, commander of NAVEUR-NAVAF and Allied Joint Drive Command Naples; Rear Adm. Oliver Lewis, Director of Maritime Operations for NAVEUR-NAVAF; and Rear Adm. Brad Collins, commander of Navy Area Europe, Africa, Central, attended ceremonies within the Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Normandy American Cemetery and Somme American Cemetery, respectively.
In Italy, Vice Adm. Thomas E. Ishee, commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet and Rear Adm. Calvin Foster, vice-commander of U.S. Sixth Fleet, attended ceremonies within the Florence American Cemetery and Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, respectively.
Memorial Day, first broadly noticed on Could 30, 1868 to commemorate the fallen within the Civil Struggle, has stood as a day of remembrance, mourning, and ceremony all through the years.
After World Struggle I, the ceremonial day got here to embody the fallen in all American wars. With exception to the American Civil Struggle, the American deaths in World Struggle II have been higher than all different U.S. wars mixed. Troopers, Sailors, Marines,and Airmen laid down their lives and got here to relaxation in cemeteries constructed on their marketing campaign path all through Europe.
The biggest offensive in U.S. army historical past, the Meuse-Argonne offensive, was the deadliest battle within the historical past of the U.S. Army. It resulted in additional than 26,277 American lives misplaced – lots of whom at the moment are buried on the close by cemetery. Munsch, whereas commemorating the fallen of Meuse-Argonne offensive, highlighted the historic nature of all of it.
“In the present day we collect at cemeteries and monuments, on watch and at-sea, to each mourn and rejoice our fallen brothers and sisters-in-arms,” mentioned Munsch.” To mourn those that gave their lives for our nice nation, and to rejoice the trigger by which they gave it, the liberty they preserved. The story of the USA is one constructed upon the shoulders of those that have come earlier than. We couldn’t be the place we’re – who we’re – with out their final sacrifice. Amidst the ever-present world safety challenges we face right now, we should proceed to hold on the legacy of those that have gone earlier than us.”
Greater than 1,000 km away lies the Florence American Cemetery, its panorama dotted with white headstones memorializing the greater than 4,400 service members who fell whereas liberating Italy throughout World Struggle II. Surrounded by what was near-constant battle throughout the Northern Marketing campaign, the placement was chosen for its central location to the 20 non permanent cemeteries constructed close to it throughout the flurry of World Struggle II. Inside the cemetery lies the Wall of the Lacking – 1,409 names carved into its face, names of these whose our bodies have been by no means recovered.
“As we stand right here right now, on the greater than 70 acres that the Florence American Cemetery covers, we bear in mind the heroism of the women and men that lie right here, and we bear in mind their braveness and selflessness in preserving the freedoms we get pleasure from right now,” mentioned Ishee. “Now, over 70 years later, the beliefs of freedom, democracy, peace and humanity are being threatened as soon as once more, however the NATO Alliance stands prepared to discourage aggression and defend the safety in Europe.”
June 6 will mark 79 years since Operation Overlord in Normandy – the biggest seaborne assault in human historical past encompassing greater than 6,000 allied ships carrying 1 million troopers throughout the English Channel to occupied France. Lewis, talking from a podium overlooking the graves that cross-hatch the Normandy American Cemetery, emphasised how Memorial Day just isn’t solely about mourning the previous – it’s about commemorating and realizing the extraordinary hope the fallen had for the long run.
“As we pay tribute to our fallen, whether or not on these shores or throughout the numerous fields of battle in Europe, mourn them with all of your coronary heart,” mentioned Lewis. “However rejoice their hope with all of your soul, for it is their hope that lives on. On these fields, in our capitols, within the very soul of all our folks, their hope in that sacred perception of life and liberty for all was born, raised anew by the generations they left behind. That hope is what unites the NATO alliance right now, and continues to bind us tomorrow.”
For over 80 years, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-U.S. Naval Forces Africa (NAVEUR-NAVAF) has solid strategic relationships with our allies and companions, leveraging a basis of shared values to protect safety and stability.
Headquartered in Naples, Italy, NAVEUR-NAVAF operates U.S. naval forces within the U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) and U.S. Africa Command (USAFRICOM) areas of duty.
U.S. Sixth Fleet is completely assigned to NAVEUR-NAVAF and employs maritime forces by way of the total spectrum of joint and naval operations.
