Ms. Uzra Zeya, Deputy Chief of Mission, and Col. Charles Metrolis, Defense Air Attaché from Unites States Embassy Paris, lay a wreath on the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in honor of the roughly 200 American volunteer pilots who flew with the French military prior to and after the United States’ entry into World War I. Many volunteers elected to transfer to the U.S. Army Air Service after America entered the war and served as the core of combat experienced pilots for what later became the U.S. Air Force.

Veterans Day at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial, located outside Paris, France. Built in 1928, the monument honors the roughly 200 American volunteer pilots who flew with the French military prior to and after the United States’ entry into World War I. Many volunteers elected to transfer to the U.S. Army Air Service after America entered the war. These members served as the core of combat experienced pilots for what later became the U.S. Air Force.

HENRI CHAPELLE, Belgium – Hundreds of people gathered May 25 at Henri Chapelle American Cemetery, where amid the rolling hills of Belgium’s countryside is the final resting place of 7,992 U.S. troops who died in World War II.

Lt. Col. William Hooker, Jr. (retired) explains to Rear Admiral John G. Messerschmidt, United States European Command, how his father William Hooker, Sr. was killed during fighting in WWII.

U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen participated in the annual Memorial Day events at the World War I St. Mihiel American Cemetery and Memorial here May 27, 2012. The 40.5-acres cemetery contains the graves of 4,153 of our military dead, according to the cemetery's website. The majority of these died in the offensive that resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris.

A squad from French Air Force's Air Base 133 "Henri Jeandet" march through St. Mihiel American Cemetery to take their position near the memorial. U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen and other locals participated in the annual Memorial Day Ceremony May 27, 2012 at the World War I cemetery about 23 miles southwest of Metz, France. The 40.5-acre cemetery contains the graves of 4,153 of U.S. military dead, according to the cemetery's website. The majority of these died in the September 1918 offensive that resulted in the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient that threatened Paris. The St. Mihiel is the third largest of the eight World War I American military cemetery memorials in Europe.

Staff Sgt. Laura Kluga, U.S. Air Forces Band in Europe, plays "Taps" at the Memorial Day event at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery May 27, 2012. The 40.5-acre World War I cemetery, about 24 miles southwest of Metz, France, contains the graves of 4,153 of U.S. military dead. It is the third largest of the eight World War I American military cemetery memorials in Europe.

F-15E Strike Eagles from the 494th Fighter Squadron, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, fly in formation over the annual Memorial Day event at the St. Mihiel American Cemetery May 27, 2012. U.S. Air Forces in Europe Airmen and other locals participated in the annual Memorial Day Ceremony at the 40.5-acre World War I cemetery, about 24 miles southwest of Metz, France. The cemetery contains the graves of 4,153 of U.S. military dead. It is the third largest of the eight World War I American military cemetery memorials in Europe.

French troops from the Quadrille des Baïonnettes, 1st Régiment D'Infanterie de la Garde Républicaine march alongside U.S. Army Soldiers from the 5th Signal Theater Strategic Command at Saint-Quentin, France. During World War I, the U.S. military suffered roughly 7,500 casualties on the attack of the Hindenburg Line, in the sector just north of Saint-Quentin, France. U.S. Soldiers from Germany-based 5th Signal Theater Strategic Command were guests at Saint-Quentin’s Memorial Day event, May 27, 2012.

A French veteran salutes during the playing of the French and U.S. national anthems during a Memorial Day ceremony at Saint-Quentin, France. During World War I, the U.S. military suffered roughly 7,500 casualties on the attack of the Hindenburg Line, in the sector just north of Saint-Quentin, France. U.S. Soldiers from Germany-based 5th Signal Theater Strategic Command were guests at Saint-Quentin’s Memorial Day event, May 27, 2012.

The official party, including James Gerard of the American Overseas Memorial Day Association and Eric Barker, Superintendent of the Somme American Cemetery, takes part in the Memorial Day ceremony at Saint-Quentin, France. During World War I, the U.S. military suffered roughly 7,500 casualties on the attack of the Hindenburg Line, in the sector just north of Saint-Quentin, France. U.S. Soldiers from Germany-based 5th Signal Theater Strategic Command were guests at Saint-Quentin’s Memorial Day event, May 27, 2012.

On 14 acres of French countryside are 1,794 white marble crosses and 43 Stars of David, marking the graves of U.S. Soldiers who died in World War I battles. 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.

A French cadet assists Rear Admiral John Messerschmidt, U.S. European Command, in laying a wreath at the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France. 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.

French veterans carried their organizational colors during the ceremonies. 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.

Pipers played “Amazing Grace” and other somber tunes before and after the Memorial Day events at the Somme American Cemetery. 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.

A joint honor guard from the Stuttgart, Germany-based U.S. European Command presented the colors during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France on May 27, 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.

A joint honor guard from the Stuttgart, Germany-based U.S. European Command presented the colors during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Somme American Cemetery in Bony, France on May 27, 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.

Petty Officer 2nd Class Morgan Francisco, 25, of Miami, Fla., serves on the joint U.S. European Command honor guard. 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.

French women dressed as U.S. nurses from World War I. At least two women, who served with medical units, are buried at the Somme American Cemetery. 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.

French troops from 1st Firing Battery, 40th French Artillery Regiment, Suippes, present arms. 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.

James Campbell, a Vietnam veteran from Randolph, Mass., who represented the 28th Infantry Regiment Association, said a prayer for the fallen. He later found two American troops from his hometown, buried at the Somme American Cemetery.

Several French history enthusiasts donned uniforms from both World War I and World War II. 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.

Several French history enthusiasts donned uniforms from both World War I and World War II. 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.

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.

The 529th Military Police Company, 95th MP Battalion, 18th MP Brigade, had the honor of providing a color guard for the Croix Rouge Farm Memorial ceremony Nov. 12, near the memorial site.

CAMP BONDSTEEL, Kosovo - Stepping off at precisely 4:38 p.m., soldiers at Camp Bondsteel marched together June 6 to remember those who have died serving in the Global War on Terrorism and all conflicts.

ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - The 48th Fighter Wing Honor Guard traveled more than 400 miles to participate in a memorial ceremony honoring fallen heroes May 25 at the Scottish-American War Memorial in Edinburgh, Scotland.

ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England - American service members stationed in the United Kingdom observed Memorial Day May 25 at Madingley American Cemetery near Cambridge.

BELLEAU, France - More than 300 Marines and sailors from commands throughout Europe and the United States, along with approximately 2,000 French locals, gathered at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery here for a Memorial Day ceremony May 24.