On May 29, at the American Battle Monuments Commission’s Luxembourg American Cemetery in Hamm, U.S. Embassy Luxembourg, including the Marine Security Guard, and guests paid tribute to the men and women who died while in the military service of their country.
As Chargé d’Affaires Casey Mace noted in his remarks: “Memorial day is above all, a day of remembrance. A day for us all to take a moment to remember, to honor, mourn, and celebrate the soldiers who gave their lives -the ultimate sacrifice- in the name of the freedom we enjoy today.” He highlighted the stories of three soldiers honored at the cemetery: Lieutenant Sydney Prince Kelly of Mobile, Alabama, who remains missing in action; Private First Class Donald Mangan of Elkton South Dakota, whose remains were identified in 2019; and Private First Class Philip Warren Weis of Sartell, Minnesota, a Luxembourgish American who died less than ten miles from his Grandfather’s home.
Chargé Mace was joined by Cardinal Hollerich of The Luxembourg Diocese, who gave the invocation, United States Army Africa Command General Stephen J. Townsend; Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Minister for Higher Education and Research Claude Meisch on behalf of the Government of Luxembourg; and a prayer of Remembrance was given by Mr. Didier Schraub of the Jewish Consistory of Luxembourg.
Wreaths were laid by Her Excellency the Marshall of the Court Yuriko Backes, on behalf of HRH the Grand Duke; His Excellency the Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies Mars Di Bartolomeo, on behalf of the Chamber of Deputies; His Excellency the Minister of Education, Children and Youth, Minister for Higher Education and Research Claude Meisch, on behalf of the Government of Luxembourg; President of the Council of State The Honorable Christophe Schiltz, on behalf of the Council of State; First Alderman of the City Council of Luxembourg, The Honorable Serge Wilmes on behalf of the City of Luxembourg; United States Army Africa Command General Stephen J. Townsend, on behalf of the Armed Forces of the United States; and Deputy Director of Cemetery Operations, ABMC Shane J. Williams on behalf of the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Photos are available on Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/usembassyluxembourg/albums/72157719361240005