Service members from Italy and the United States came together for a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery and Memorial in Nettuno, Italy, May 28.

NETTUNO, Italy (May 28, 2012) - Italian Carabinieri and service members from U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, present the colors during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno. During the ceremony, veterans, service members, students and families gathered to honor and pay tribute to the fallen warriors who gave their lives during the liberation of Italy in 1943.

NETTUNO, Italy (May 28, 2012) - Chief Operations Specialist Jose Ramiro bows for a moment of silence during the Memorial Day ceremony at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery. During the ceremony, multinational veterans, service members, students and families gathered to honor and pay tribute to the fallen warriors who gave their lives during the liberation of Italy in 1943.

Soldiers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team based in Vicenza, Italy, stand in formation next to Italian troops during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

A combined U.S. and Italian color guard presents the colors during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

Members of the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band play during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

EUCOM Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mark Barrett delivers a speech in front of the Tablets of the Missing during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

EUCOM Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mark Barrett and Italian Air Force Maj Gen Pietro Valente salute after the laying of the wreaths during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

EUCOM Chief of Staff Maj Gen Mark Barrett meets with World War II re-enactors after the Memorial Day ceremony at the Florence American Cemetery May 28, 2012.

The Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Resources, and Plans, at U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa visited the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan, France, to pay tribute to fallen service members during a Memorial Day ceremony, May 27.

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.

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.

DRAGUIGNAN, France (May 27, 2012) – French army soldiers (left) and U.S. Navy Sailors (right) assigned to Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa, parade their countries colors during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Rhone American Cemetery and Memorial in Draguignan. Guests, including American and Allied service members, attended the ceremony in honor of the fallen heroes who gave their lives during the liberation of southern France in 1944.

EPINAL, France -- The U.S. European Command Joint Honor Guard present the colors at the Memorial Ceremony at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial May 27. Troops from USEUCOM, to include an Air Force formation from Ramstein Air Base, Germany; memorial address speaker, Brig. Gen. Thomas Sharpy, Director Plans, Programs & Analyses at U.S. Air Forces in Europe; USAFE Band; flag bearers of the French Veteran's Associations; French 1st Infantry Battalion (Mechanized); and the French Red Cross, Section of Epinal.

EPINAL, France -- Three aircraft from the French Air Force perform a fly-over at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial May 27. The cemetery was established in October 1944 by the 46th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company of the U.S. Seventy Army as it drove northward from southern France through the Rhone Valley into Germany. The cemetery became the repository for the fatalities in the bitter fighting through the Heasbourg Gap during the winter of 1944-45.

EPINAL, France -- A member of the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band plays "Taps" at the Memorial Day Ceremony at the Epinal American Cemetery and Memorial May 27. "Taps" is a musical piece sounded at dusk, and at funerals, particularly by the U.S. military.

70 Years - A Commemoration to Remember Learn the story of the Normandy Campaign from D-Day through the liberation at Paris through the American Battle Monuments Commission's interactive presentation or visit the Army's official D-Day page.