422nd ABG honors fallen at Brookwood ceremony

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Brian Stives
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
BROOKWOOD, United Kingdom --  Since American servicemembers first gave their lives for their country, their country has remembered their sacrifice. The 422nd Air Base Group honored all of them during a Memorial Day Ceremony at Brookwood Military Cemetery, United Kingdom, May 26.

"It is such a gift that we live in a free and open society, I can think of no better place to be on Memorial Day weekend than standing among the brave men and women that gave us that gift," said Brig. Gen. John Quintas, the Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in London.

Memorial Day started out as Decoration Day as a day to remember those killed in service of the nation and always fell on May 30, regardless of the day of the week it fell on. In 1968, Congress changed the date to the last Monday in May.

"Changing the date resulted in it always being a three-day weekend, which I think we all appreciate, but unfortunately it has also resulted in many Americans thinking about barbecues, picnics, traveling and easing from the hardships of daily life," said Quintas. "More and more they've forgotten this day is about remembering the more than 1.3 million Americans who gave their life defending freedom."

For the members of the 422nd ABG in attendance being a part of the ceremony carries a big honor.

"It really gives you a sense of gratitude and unbelievable thanks for what they did for our country," said Master Sgt. Jeremy Carlson, 422nd Civil Engineer Squadron and wreath bearer for the ceremony.

For some Airmen this was the first time they attended a Memorial Day Ceremony in the United Kingdom.

"I would definitely do it again," said Staff Sgt. Cesar Ponce, 422nd Communications Squadron, who was a wreath bearer for the ceremony. "It really meant a lot to come out here and honor them, to cherish their name, and remember them for what they sacrificed for us."

Brookwood, the final resting place for 468 servicemembers and 41 unknown servicemembers from World War I, is one of the smallest American cemeteries in the United Kingdom. The servicemembers who rest in the Brookwood American Cemetery were brought there after the Armistice from various temporary sites throughout England, Scotland and Ireland; the first American burial at Brookwood was in 1918.