Cambridge ceremony honors American, allied veterans

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom --  A ceremony beginning on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month was held to remember veterans past and present at Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial.

More than 300 U.S. and U.K. servicemembers stationed across England, veterans of both nations and those who came to honor heroes past and present participated in the event.

"Cambridge American Cemetery is a special place, made even more so by its location and our ability to honor our veteran's side by side with our friends and allies as we continue to work together for peace and security," said Col. Brian Kelly, 501st Combat Support Wing commander.

Kelly believes the opportunity to remember the past allows us to recognize the unbroken chain forged and strengthened on the fields of France, in the skies over Europe, in Fallujah and Ramadi, and in the mountains of Tora Bora - chain maintained by more than 6,300 American and 600 British veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"We honor all veterans from the Greatest Generation to the latest generation," Kelly said. "We remind ourselves of the debt that is owed, a debt that no dollar amount can ever repay.

The special relationship between the United States and Britain remains as strong today as it was back then, said Air Commodore Elaine West, Air Officer Commanding Directly Administered Units and Assistant Chief of Staff Support, Headquarters Air Command.

"Because of (veteran's) efforts, both our nations have prospered," West said. "We should not forget how much they gave. These heroes deserve a day to pay honor to them."

For an Airman attending at the ceremony for the first time, it was an opportunity to put his service to his country in perspective.

"It's impressive to see the effort put into recognizing those who sacrificed so much for our freedom," said 2nd Lt. Sean O'Keefe, 501st CSW Finance Office. "I think it's important to pay tribute and not forget they are forever here."

The ceremony at Cambridge American Cemetery is held every year on Veteran's Day. The 30.5 acre site was donated by the University of Cambridge and established Dec. 7, 1943, as a temporary military cemetery. The American Cemetery at Madingley was dedicated as the only permanent World War II American burial ground on the British Isles in 1956. There are 3,812 American military dead buried there. On the wall running from the entrance to the chapel are inscribed the names of 5,127 Americans who gave their lives in the service of their country, but whose remains were never recovered or identified. Most of these died in the Battle of the Atlantic or in the strategic air bombardment of Northwest Europe during World War II.