JAC'sters, RAF Alconbury Girl Scouts lend hand at Madingley American Cemetery

  • Published
  • By Cindy Eccles
  • U.S. European Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center - Europe Analytic Center
CAMBRIDGE, United Kingdom --  Members of U.S. European Command Joint Intelligence Operations Center - Europe Analytic Center Eurasia Division joined with the RAF Alconbury Girl Scouts at Madingley American Cemetery in Cambridge to clean the headstones of American servicemen and women interred at the United Kingdom's only World War II cemetery Oct. 26.

Margaret Donohew, the Girl Scouts troop leader, said the troop comes out twice a year where they don't earn a badge or medal. "It is just a way they can give back to the community and learn about the cost of freedom."

One young scout recalled a story told by her father, "He said the people buried here never got to go home to see their families. It is important for us to remember them and I can do that by helping keep the headstones clean."

"We have two daughters in the troop" said U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Vincent Camacho, Det. 5. "So, we decided at the last minute to come out as a family and bring our other two children. As a servicemember, I want my children to know I don't serve my country for nothing. We try to inspire them every chance we can, and this is a great way for us to do that."

The JAC'sters from RAF Molesworth felt the same way and decided to come out and help the Girl Scouts.

"We heard about the Girl Scout project and thought it would be a great way for members of the division to come together in the spirit of community service and camaraderie," said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Daniel Spencer, JIOCEUR JAC Division NCOIC.

"This is a great opportunity to visit the cemetery and to pay my respects to those who served and died for our country," said U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Mark Reddington, another JIOCEUR JAC Division member.

"I've always wanted to come see Madingley because it is a part of our history," said U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Katelynn Blasdel, from RAF Molesworth. "With Veterans Day coming up, it is always good to remember what you stand for and to remember why you do what you do. These people paid the ultimate price."

Spencer summed up the division's experience with a phrase he had heard during a deployment: "The cost of freedom has a flavor that the protected will never know. Being here today, as a team, reinforces to me the sacrifices that others have made."

Situated roughly three miles west of Cambridge, the cemetery holds the remains of 3,812 military personnel, including nine women; 5,127 names are etched on the Tablets of the Missing.