Memorial Day

As Americans, formal remembrance of our war dead sprung from the profound losses of our Civil War, with more than 600,000 servicemen lost. The first organized Memorial Day, then called "Decoration Day," was held May 1, 1865. On that day, communities in the North and the South honored fallen war heroes by closing businesses, flying flags at half staff and draping headstones in cemeteries with flowers in memory and recognition of those who fought and died.

From Korea and the Cold War to more recent conflicts in the Balkans, Afghanistan and Libya, the men and women of the U.S. European Command have fought around the globe during the command's 60-year history to protect the United States and her allies.

Well before EUCOM was ever established, U.S. servicemen and women fought and died in the European theater. In fact, more than 100,000 of them are buried on European soil and will be remembered at ceremonies hosted by the American Battle Monuments Commission at 20 American cemeteries located in France, Belgium, Italy, England, the Netherlands and Luxembourg. 

2013 European Location Ceremony Schedule:

Saturday, May 25

10 a.m. - Ardennes American Cemetery, Neuville en Condroz, Belgium
11 a.m. - Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, Paris, France
2 p.m. - Luxembourg American Cemetery, Hamm, Luxembourg
4 p.m. - Henri Chapelle American Cemetery, Aubel, Belgium

Sunday, May 26

9:45 a.m. - Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France
10 a.m. - Rhone American Cemetery, Draguignan, France
10:30 a.m. - Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville Sur Mere, France
11 a.m. - Lorraine American Cemetery, Saint-Avold, France

11 a.m. - Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-Sous Montfaucon, France
2:30 p.m. - Suresnes American Cemetery, Suresnes, France
3 p.m. - Epinal American Cemetery, Dinoze, France
3 p.m. - Brookwood American Cemetery, Brookwood, England
3 p.m. - Somme American Cemetery, Bony, France
3 p.m. - Oise-Aisne American Cemetery, Seringes Et Nesles, France
3 p.m. - Flanders Field American Cemetery, Waregem, Belgium
3 p.m. - Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands
4 p.m. - Brittany American Cemetery, Saint James, France
4 p.m. - Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiacourt, France
6:30 p.m. - Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France

Monday, May 27

11 a.m. - Florence American Cemetery, Florence, Italy
11 a.m. - Sicily-Rome American Cemetery, Nettuno, Italy
11 a.m. - Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England

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May 25, 2012Memorial Day: Honoring 60 Years of EUCOM Sacrifices that Kept our Nation SecureMemorial Day is a time of reflection for our nation – and especially for our service members – as we honor those who gave their lives so that others may live. However, this year’s Memorial Day is even more significant, as August 1, 2012 marks the 60th anniversary of the inception of U.S. European Command (EUCOM).

June 2, 2011The Most Important Week for EUCOMHere we are in the middle of what I believe is the most important week of the year for U.S. European Command.  On one end, a long weekend recently completed in honor of Memorial Day.  On the other end of this important stretch of days - D-Day.

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May 28, 2012Memorial Day Commemoration Held at Sicily-Rome Cemetery and MemorialService members from Italy and the United States came together for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Italy, May 28.

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