Veterans honored at Cambridge American Cemetery

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Abby L. Finkel
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Service members and civilians gathered for a Veterans Day ceremony at the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial in Cambridge, England, Nov. 11.

Officially designated by President Dwight Eisenhower in 1954, Veterans Day honors all Americans who have served their country in the armed forces.

The ceremony in Cambridge featured words of remembrance from U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Richard M. Clark, 3rd Air Force commander, and Royal Air Force Air Commodore Alison Mardell, RAF’s Directorate of Legal Services deputy director.

“When we look at our respective countries and the relative peace and prosperity we enjoy,” Mardell said, “this is in no small part due to the bravery of the men and women who were prepared to give their lives to protect our way of life. Veterans Day and the act of remembrance enables us to give them thanks and to dedicate ourselves to continuing to uphold those values that were so selflessly fought for.”

The annual ceremony also included a firing of volleys by 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guardsmen and music performed by the RAF Wyton Band.

“We Americans, British friends and allies around the world all understand the sacrifice of our fathers,” Clark said. “The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month commemorates a worthy sacrifice. This has impacted, and will continue to impact, our world for generations to come.”

Distinguished visitors and veterans were invited to participate in the ceremony by placing wreathes along the Tablets of the Missing.

The ceremony, which took place next to the 3, 812 graves of fallen service members, served as a solemn reminder of the sacrifice some veterans have given in service of their country.