COMUSAFE delivers Normandy Memorial Day address

  • Published
  • By Capt. Elizabeth Culbertson
  • U.S. Air Forces in Europe Public Affairs
COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France (USAFENS) --  The commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe delivered the Memorial Day ceremony address at Normandy American Cemetery here May 28.

Gen. Tom Hobbins said that U.S. participation in the ceremony was important.

"[Memorial] Day is very memorable for all nations that have participated in ensuring the freedom of the world, and I believe that our presence here today signifies that importance and puts special meaning on our friendship and our alliance and all that we mean to each other," said the general.

A missing man formation flyover by 48th Fighter Wing F-15s set a somber tone for the event.

"I can think of few more emotional settings to observe Memorial Day than this place where 9,387 heroes are laid to rest. It is because of them that I stand here today as a free man, able to speak to you about acts of courage and sacrifice from those who gave all," he said.

The general urged the audience to remember the sacrifices made by the buried.

"We must never forget what our people have done together here to ensure we are free people and may continue to live that way," he said. "Please join me in honoring both the fallen and those who fight on."

General Hobbins spoke about freedom—what it meant to the Allied forces at Omaha Beach, and what it means in today’s global environment. The Allied invasion on June 6, 1944, was comprised of more than 150,000 troops and Omaha Beach fell under U.S. responsibility.

"Thirty-four thousand American Soldiers landed that day," said the general. "Images of that heroic but bloody day have been captured in movies and pictures…Allied leaders feared the chance for liberty may be lost forever, but strong, young leaders rose to the occasion and gallantly united the warriors."

The fight against oppression continues today, said the general. 

"This generation faces the same fears encountered under Nazism, but the enemy is different. The enemy is a global network of terrorists who are eager to inflict harm upon the free world," he said.

Citing the attacks in Istanbul, Madrid, London, and New York, General Hobbins said free nations must continue to work together as an interdependent team to defeat today’s enemy.

"How and when our fight against terrorism ends remains to be seen, but history proves skilled warriors are willing to risk everything to defend freedom’s front door," he said. "While the calling is new, the allied goal is still the same -- 'ensuring freedom’s future.'"

Speaking after the ceremony, General Hobbins said the experience was poignant.

"When we got here, I spent time walking amongst all the white crosses, looking at the names and organizations, and I was moved by how many had died, not only on June 6, 1944, but for many months and even one or two years thereafter," he said. "The fact that 9,387 heroes are buried here in the cemetery was very moving to me."

The U.S. color guard, honor platoon and the firing party were made up of Soldiers from the 5th Signal Command, Mannheim, Germany.