US Military/Allies Partner to Recognize Fallen Heroes

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chad Warren
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Members of the United States military in Europe joined with Luxembourgers to remember the sacrifice made by the Allied forces in World War II during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Luxembourg American Military Cemetery May 27, 2017.

Service members, government officials and members of the community showed their respect for those who fought and paid the ultimate price in defense of freedom abroad.

“These men and women knew that the fate of the free world was in their hands,” said Lt. Gen. Richard Clark, 3rd Air Force commander. “To them, tyranny was not a problem to be admired, but a determined enemy requiring a complete commitment to defeat.”

The Luxembourg military alongside United States service members conducted the ceremony, which consisted of several organizations paying their respects by dedicating wreaths in honor of the fallen heroes.

Families of fallen service members who are buried at the cemetery were present to pay their respects as well.

“Mrs. Betty Dunaway is the daughter of Private 1st Class Verlon Horton of East St. Louis, Illinois. As part of the allied advance into Germany, his unit came under heavy artillery and small arms fire along the Sauer River,” said Clark. “On February 14, 1945, PFC Horton gave his last full measure of devotion to his country less than 30 minutes from here.”

Without people like PFC Horton, as Lt. Gen. Clark said, today’s freedoms would not be assured. Regardless of personal involvement in the conflict, everyone in attendance was there because of a mutual respect for the sacrifices made by the brave men and women who laid down their lives to make our way of life possible. For that reason, defenders of freedom for all around the globe take this opportunity to recognize the ones who came before them, and salute.