Memorial Day 2021 Around the World

Early Returns from American Overseas Cemeteries & Florists

Immediately below are the first returns from the first cemeteries to send them ~ in the order received. These were sent by cemetery Superintendents and Associates, by Florists, by Presenters, and by loyal AWON Friends ~ who knew we’d be waiting for an early look. We’ll add credits when we add these early shots to the permanent treatments.

Our Fathers and Loved ones were well remembered.

Epinal American 2021 ~ with special thanks to Cemetery Associate Virginie Benoit-Erhard.

Longtime AWON Friend Jean-Marc Lesueur at Normandy American 2021. With special thanks to Coordinator Rondy Elliott.

Lorraine American 2021 ~ with special thanks to longtime Coordinator Paul Bremer ~ and to Cemetery Associate Valérie Muller.

Henri-Chapelle American 2021 ~ with special thanks to Régine, Bernard, & Marie Achten ~ and to Fleurs Mertens.

Luxembourg American 2021 ~ with special thanks to Coordinator Sandy MacDuffee.

Florence American 2021

Cambridge American 2021 ~ with special thanks to Jeanne Rhinehart and Dawn Hookway.

North African American 2021 ~ with special thanks to Cemetery Associate Atef Gadrib for his exceptional Plan “B” save!

Cemetery of the Pacific 2021 ~ with special thanks to Coordinator Susan Chadd and Presenter Vanita Rae Smith.

Rhone American ~ with special thanks to Senior Associate Alison Libera.

Brittany American ~ with special thanks to Coordinator Brian Hope ~ and to Emile Castel, Cemetery Associate.

Netherlands American with special thanks to Coordinator Gloria Layne and longtime AWON friend, Joost Claassens.

Ardennes American 2021 ~ with special thanks to Cemetery Associate (and photographer) Vincent Joris!

Sicily-Rome American 2021 ~ with special thanks to longtime Coordinator Bob Meek ~ and to Rosanna Ludovisi, Manager of AdrianaFioriNettuno.

Suresnes American 2021 ~ with special thanks to the Coordinators’ Consortium ~ and to Suresnes Associate Sandrine Deboté.

Manila American 2021 ~ with special thanks to first-year Coordinator Ruth Joyce ~ and to the Lim family in Manila.

 Our reverence for the ABMC starts with their motto – a Pershing quote: “Time will never dim the glory of their deeds.”

The ABMC beautifully maintains – in pristine order – 26 WWI and WWII American Cemeteries and Memorials around the world. Because these two wars were (and will always be) the only wars fought by the United States in which too many were killed to send them all home for burial, the ABMC – as part of the Executive Branch of our Government was formed in 1923 to watch over the graves and plaques that mark or remember nearly 200,000 Americans, nearly a thousand of whom are the Fathers or Loved ones of Members of AWON.

ABMC ~ We thank you . . . and we always will.