Memorial Day 2022 Around the World
Early Returns from American Overseas Cemeteries & Florists
Immediately below are the first returns from the first cemeteries to send them ~ in the order received. These were sent by cemetery Superintendents and Associates, by Florists, by Presenters, and by loyal AWON Friends ~ who knew we’d be waiting for an early look. We’ll add credits when we add these early shots to the permanent treatments.
Our Fathers and Loved ones were well remembered.
Henri-Chapelle American 2022 ~ with special thanks to Bernard and Régine Achten ~ the originators of the AWON Wreath & Banner program in 2003.
Rik Peirson ~ Henri-Chapelle Coordinator since 2003. Fleurs Mertens ~ valued florist since 2015.
Normandy American 2022 ~ with special thanks to Jean-Marc Leseuer ~ longtime AWON friend & ally on anything Normandy.
Rondy Elliott ~ Normandy Coordinator since 2019.
Cambridge American 2022 ~ with special thanks to Dawn Hookway, dedicated florist since 2015.
Jeanne Rhinehart ~ Cambridge Coordinator since 2005.
Epinal American 2022 ~ with thanks to Epinal Associate Elsa Lewuillon for sending us the picture!
We’re looking for a Coordinator so we can continue to remember these men of Epinal. Someone ~ please step up!
North Africa American 2022 ~ with thanks to Atef Gadrib ~ Cemetery Associate ~ for deploying Plan “B”(again!)
Judge Bonnie Hellums ~ North Africa Coordinator since 2019.
Cemetery of the Pacific 2022 ~ with AWONer & longtime presenter Vanita Rae Smith.
Susan Chadd ~ Punchbowl Coordinator since 2005.
Manila American 2022
Ruthie Joyce ~ Coordinator since 2020
Ardennes American 2022
Coordinated with special thanks by Régine and Bernard Achten since 2022
Brittany American 2022
Coordinated by Brian Hope since 2006
Luxembourg American 2022
Coordinated by Sandy MacDuffee since 2020
Netherlands American 2022
Coordinated by Gloria Layne since 2019
Sicily-Rome American 2022
Coordinated by Bob Meek since 2004
Watch for other early returns for Memorial Day 2022 as they come in.
Our reverence for the ABMC starts with their motto – a Pershing quote: “Time will never dim the glory of their deeds.”
The ABMC beautifully maintains – in pristine order – 26 WWI and WWII American Cemeteries and Memorials around the world. Because these two wars were (and will always be) the only wars fought by the United States in which too many were killed to send them all home for burial, the ABMC – as part of the Executive Branch of our Government was formed in 1923 to watch over the graves and plaques that mark or remember nearly 200,000 Americans, nearly a thousand of whom are the Fathers or Loved ones of Members of AWON.
ABMC ~ We thank you . . . and we always will.