• The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in a memorial ceremony honoring fallen heroes in Edinburgh, Scotland, May 30. • This year is the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at "The Call," a war memorial presented to Scotland by the U.S.
Photos
EDINBURGH, Scotland — Garrison Sgt. Maj. Graham White, Headquarters Edinburgh Garrison, Edinburgh Castle, salutes the 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard during a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. This year marks the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at "The Call," a war memorial presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — The Right Honorable George Grubb, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, lays a poppy wreath at the base of the Scottish-American War Memorial during a Memorial Day ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at "The Call," a war memorial presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — A bagpiper from the British Army's Royal Scots Dragoon Guards participates a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at the "The Call," a war memorial, presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — A bagpiper from the British Army's Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and the 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participate a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. This year marks the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at "The Call," a war memorial presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — A bagpiper from the British Army's Royal Scots Dragoon Guards participates a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at the war memorial "The Call," presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — A poppy wreath lays at the base of "The Call," during a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at the war memorial "The Call," presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — Poppy wreaths lay at the base of "The Call," after a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at the war memorial, presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
EDINBURGH, Scotland — The Edinburgh Castle in Edinburgh, Scotland overlooks the Princess Street Gardens, May 30. The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in a Memorial Day ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland on May 30. This year marks the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at ?The Call,? a war memorial presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops. (U.S. Air Force photo/ Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon)
by Staff Sgt. Megan P. Lyon
48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
6/2/2011 - EDINBURGH, Scotland -- Airmen from the 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard participated in a memorial ceremony honoring fallen heroes at the Scottish-American War Memorial here on May 30.
This year marks the 77th annual Scottish-American Memorial Day service at "The Call," a war memorial presented to the Scottish people by the U.S., as a tribute to World War I Scottish troops.
"There's no event that is more important than the act of remembrance, particularly for the United Kingdom and America," said Royal Air Force Air Commodore Harry Atkinson, Air Officer Scotland, representing the U.K. armed forces during the ceremony. "Our friendship is at the heart of our special and essential relationship and most central to that is remembering our war dead from the Great War and all conflicts since, lest we forget."
The memorial depicts a young, kilted soldier looking upward toward Edinburgh Castle.
Behind the seated statue is a sandstone backdrop featuring men joining the call to arms, with a band of bagpipers leading the way. A carved inscription at the base of the panel reads: "If it be life that waits I shall live forever unconquered; if death I shall die at last strong in my pride and free."
During the service, the British Army's Royal Scots Dragoon Guards escorted the honor guard to the memorial where they presented the colors. American and Scottish dignitaries laid poppy wreaths at the base of the statue as the Scots Guards played the bagpipes and bugle. At the end of the ceremony, the Royal Marine Band played the national anthems of both countries.
"I think it's a very unique opportunity, a special opportunity to get together and pay homage to the fallen," said Garrison Sgt. Maj. Graham White, Headquarters Edinburgh Garrison, Edinburgh Castle.
For Senior Airman Bryant L. Lanier, 48th Aerospace Medicine Squadron Public Health technician and honor guard member, the ceremony was a way to honor those who have served.
The sacrifice of all the people, all the fallen soldiers that came before me, allows me to have the opportunity to do this job, said Airman Lanier.
For other onlookers, the ceremony was an unexpected surprise in a foreign country. Adam Anderson, a management consultant in Chicago, Ill., was visiting the gardens during the ceremony. As a child, Mr. Anderson grew up on Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.
"I didn't even know about it, I just happened to be walking by," said Mr. Anderson. "It was very powerful and special for me to see this, to see everybody come together to celebrate and remember together."
