Air Force Maj. Gen. Mark Barrett, U.S. European Command chief of staff, speaks during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Suresnes American Cemetery just outside Paris May 26, 2013. U.S. European Command and its components supported 22 Memorial Day ceremonies in six countries throughout the weekend.

It was during WWI that the U.S. Marines put a their “stamp” on history. The battle of Belleau Wood, France was a costly one for the Marines. SGT Abigail Waldrop takes us to hallowed grounds for the Marine Corps with this story.

Thousands of people visit the Luxembourg American Cemetery every year. SrA Evan Mills takes us to the cemetery to meet one woman who’s visiting for a very personal reason.

We all choose to remember fallen Soldiers in different ways. SGT Thomas Christensen went to Grafenwohr, Germany, to find out how a community decided to remember theirs.

EUCOM Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mark Barrett discusses the importance of remembering Memorial Day with our European allies after the ceremony at Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

American Soldiers served in the Somme sector of the frontlines in France during World War I, alongside British, Canadian, Australian, Belgian and French forces. The Somme American Military Cemetery, near Bony, France, is the final resting place for more than 1,800 U.S. Soldiers. On May 27, 2012, troops from U.S. European Command, to include keynote speak Rear Admiral John Messerschmidt, U.S. Army Soldiers from the 5th Signal Theater Strategic Command and the Shape International Band, took part in a Memorial Day ceremony.

U.S. and French service members, veterans and civilians honored American World War I veterans during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial.

A 19-year U.S. Air Force veteran, Tech Sgt. Brian Hoffman, an intelligence analyst at U.S. European Command explain how volunteer EUCOM service members make up honor guards for Memorial Day events overseas.

When a service member dies overseas it’s tradition to bring the body back to the home front. But, during WWII that wasn’t always an option. Many troops are laid to rest in American cemeteries throughout Europe. SGT Joshua Blair tells us how service members are cared for here at the American cemetery in Margraten, Natherlands.

Several American service members have paid the ultimate sacrifice...many being laid to rest in American cemeteries throughout Europe. A1C Benjamin Landon tells us about one cemetery that remembers these fallen heroes.

Here we are in the middle of what I believe is the most important week of the year for U.S. European Command.  On one end, a long weekend recently completed in honor of Memorial Day.  On the other end of this important stretch of days - D-Day.

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!"

Last year my grandfather died on the anniversary of D-Day. Pop was never in the military, but his older brother Chester, was and he fought on the fields of France. He’s buried in Brittany and it is him who I choose to honor in this Memorial Day blog.

I want to give voice to the men and women who have given their lives for this nation.

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey — While on a Memorial Day recreational trip to Kizkalesi Beach, Turkey, four sailors temporarily stationed at Incirlik aided in the rescue of a Turkish family-of-six after their small boat capsized May 29.

I’m new to EUCOM, new to Europe altogether, and I cannot imagine a better time of year: we just celebrated Memorial Day and the 66th Anniversary of D-Day is here. And I’m in Europe for all of it.

BELLEAU, France — For the first time in the 93 years since one of the Corps’ most iconic battles, the Marines of 5th and 6th returned their battle colors to the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial June 2 to pay tribute to the men who fought and died in the battle that stopped the last major German offensive of World War I.

I was deep in the heart of France yesterday during Memorial Day as I'm on my way to provide support for the events scheduled in commemoration of the 66th anniversary of D-Day. I left out from our U.S. European Command headquarters in Stuttgart, Germany and stopped at the halfway point on the way to the beaches of Normandy.

Not long after the Civil War, Americans pledged to honor those who, as Abraham Lincoln put it, gave the last full measure of devotion. Be they from Lexington and Concord; Gettysburg and Antietam; the Argonnes Forest or the beaches of Normandy; Chosin and Inchon; Saigon and the Mekong Delta; Baghdad or Kandahar — we have kept that pledge every Memorial Day, and rightfully so.

MARGRATEN, Netherlands – Navy Vice Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander of the U.S. 6th Fleet, arrived in Margraten, Netherlands, May 30 to celebrate Memorial Day at the World War II Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial.

The national commander of the American Legion and the president of the American Legion Auxiliary spent Memorial Day weekend in Kosovo, visiting troops and learning more about the U.S. role in the Balkans.

As Memorial Day approaches, and brings thoughts of sacrifice, it makes me wonder what leads people into the military. It varies for everyone, of course, but in many cases, it is the power of family and community that draws us into the military. Here is my story.

This honor comes with my position at the U.S. European Command public Affairs office as the Chief of Community Relations. The unique aspect of my job is that my “community” is made up of the 51 countries and territories the command calls its area of responsibility.