Air Force leaders send Memorial Day message Published May 22, 2013 By Staff Reports Air Force News Service WASHINGTON -- Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III send the following Memorial Day message to Airmen of the U.S. Air Force and their families: "Memorial Day provides an opportunity to reflect upon the sacrifices of our Nation's uniformed service members, particularly the more than one million Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coast Guardsmen who gave their "last full measure of devotion" to preserve the freedoms we cherish. Many of us can envision a specific individual-a relative, friend, or coworker-who has paid the ultimate price in defense of America. Take a moment-right now-and think of that person and their family...thank them for giving their all. As we remember our fallen, we must also never forget our missing. Over 83,000 U.S. service members remain unaccounted for, with over 9,700 patriots still missing from the Korean War to today. Nearly 1,500 of those missing since the Korean War are Airmen, and we will never stop looking until all return home. Let us also honor the sacrifices of our "greatest generation" on this day of remembrance. Our ability to hear first-hand from our World War II veterans will not last forever, as the final Doolittle Tokyo Raider reunion earlier this year testifies, so take advantage of every opportunity to thank and learn from these heroes. For the families of our fallen and missing, Memorial Day brings a particular poignancy as the Nation recognizes an indescribable loss that the affected parents, spouses, siblings, and children feel every day. Thankfully, our Air Force family surrounds and supports every member during times of loss, but we've had to repeat this ritual far too many times-this year included. We must never let the sacrifices of our fallen, missing, captured, or wounded be in vain. To all Airmen, thank you for your sacrifices, past, present, and future. We are honored to serve beside you in America's Air Force and in defense of this great Nation." The Memorial Day events with United States' participation scheduled near the Eifel are: - Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, Paris, France, at 11 a.m., May 25. A U.S. Air Forces in Europe band bugler will play, and a color guard from the 86th Airlift Wing will present the colors. - Luxembourg American Cemetery, Hamm, Luxembourg, at 2 p.m., May 25. The Third Air Force commander will speak, the color guard from the 52nd Fighter Wing will present the colors, and a USAFE ceremonial band will perform. - Aisne-Marne American Cemetery, Belleau, France, at 9:45 a.m., May 26. A USAFE band bugler will play. - Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, Romagne-Sous, Montfaucon, France, at 11 a.m., May 26. A USAFE band bugler will play. - Suresnes American Cemetery, Suresnes, France, at 2:30 p.m., May 26. A USAFE band bugler will play. - Brookwood American Cemetery, Brookwood, Surrey, United Kingdom, at 3 p.m., May 26. The color guard from the 422nd Air Base Group will present the colors, and a USAFE bugler will play. - Saint-Mihiel American Cemetery, Thiaucourt, France, at 4 p.m., May 26. The USAFE ceremonial band will perform. - Arc de Triomphe, Paris, France, at 6:30 p.m., May 26. A USAFE band bugler will play. - Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, United Kingdom, at 11 a.m., May 27. A color guard from the 100th Air Refueling Wing will present the colors, and a USAFE band bugler will play.