On Duty Forever

At the US flagpole in the Cambridge American Cemetery and Memorial (Cambridge, England), the base is inscribed with the following quote from the famous poem "In Flanders Field": "TO YOU FROM FAILING HANDS WE THROW THE TORCH -- BE YOURS TO HOLD IT HIGH!"

If someone handed us a torch like that, what would we do? The question bears thought and the time to think about it -- especially on Memorial Day.

As part of my own reflection on the question above, I look to the brave men and women buried here at Cambridge American Cemetery: 3,812, to be exact -- with more than 5,000 names recorded on the Tablets of the Missing (known as the Wall of the Missing).

These heroic men and women are on duty forever. I look at their white markers neatly aligned here and wonder what motivated them to do what they did. What were their hopes and dreams?

As I wondered about this, I was incredibly fortunate to be given a tour of Cambridge American Cemetery by its superintendent, Michael W. Green. A retired Marine, this is the sixth American military cemetery Superintendent Green has served at.

He told me about Army Sergeant Emerald Cutting, who died on Feb. 6, 1945 -- his wedding anniversary. While a tragedy for his loved ones, it can be said Sergeant Cutting left his wife, family and friends the invaluable gift of liberty.

Superintendent Green told me about Army Air Forces Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Hitchcock Jr, who fought in both World Wars. In fact, an internationally renowned polo player, he had to use his connections to serve in WWII.

I also learned about a naval aviator who died on his third combat tour in England (he kept extending). Loaded with 21,170 pounds of high explosives, there was nothing left to bury when the 'drone' Liberator bomber he was in prematurely exploded. I read his name on the Wall of the Missing: Ensign Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Yes, the brother of the 35th US president.

Superintendent Green is absolutely right when he says "the heart and soul of America are resting here." Men and women from every US state are buried at Cambridge American Cemetery. Among them are a pair of brothers resting side by side and the iconic musician Glenn Miller.

Standing amongst their markers, the message their stories sends rings loud and clear across the generations to me: there is something greater than self worth fighting for...and dying for.

And, to me, Memorial Day is about remembering the "and dying for" part -- and honoring those on duty forever.

A couple days ago, back in Stuttgart, I explained the meaning of Memorial Day to my Greek-German manicurist. When I was done, she looked at me thoughtfully and said: "But it is a sad holiday." To which I replied: "It's not a festive holiday. However, it's important to remember."

Now I realize that remembering those who've made the ultimate sacrifice, men and women like any of us with hopes and dreams and families and friends, helps validate what those of us who serve today are doing.

For me, a part of the inscription atop the Tablets of the Missing sums it up beautifully: "All who shall hereafter live in freedom will be here reminded that to these men and their compares we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their sacrifice and the high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live eternally."

May we hold the torch high for those on duty forever.

Lt. Col. Elizabeth Ortiz
EUCOM Public Affairs