BELLEAU, France -- May 25, 2014 marks the 96th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood. To commemorate the battle and celebrate Memorial Day, hundreds of men and women came together at Aisne-Marne Cemetery in the small town of Belleau, France.
“It is a moral duty, but also an immense honor, to pay homage to the memory of all those who fell for a just cause. This year, once again, the United States and France commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood, which took place, here between the 1st and 26th of June, 1918,” said Gen. Bertrand Ract-Madoux, Chief of Staff of the French Army.
The morning began with a wreath laying ceremony on the historic grounds of Belleau Wood where the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos and Gen. Ract-Madoux addressed the United States Marines and French soldiers that traveled from around the world to be apart of the ceremony.
“There is perhaps no more hollowed ground then Belleau Wood where we stand today. In the history of the United States Marine Corps the battle of Belleau Wood was an epic fight that defined the Marine Corps forever,” said Amos.
Gen. Amos, on behalf of the President of the United States, also presented Gen. Ract-Madoux with a Legion of Merit, for his superior service and strengthening the relationship and interoperability between the United States and France. During the award presentation Gen. Amos spoke about the ongoing friendship between the two nations and the training partnership between 2nd Marine Division and the 6th Armored Brigade of the French Army.
“We will train together in the future and we will deploy together in the future,” he said.
Following the more intimate ceremony, the Marines, soldiers and family members walked through the woods down to the Aisne-Marne Cemetery to join the crowds for the main event.
The main event included welcome remarks from the cemetery’s superintendent, Mr. David Atkinson, the Mayor of Belleau, Mrs. Nadia Crapart, a reading of poems from local students and memorial addresses from Gen. Amos and Gen. Ract-Madoux. Following the addresses officers and representatives from both nations laid wreaths, firing of volleys took place, Taps was played, there was a raising of the United States and French colors, and finally a concert by the French and American military band units.
The Memorial Day remembrance is hosted annual by the American Battle Monuments Commission which was established in 1923 to commemorate the service achievements and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces.
“Through the homage that we pay to those who in the past gave all on these fields of battle let us not forgot to salute the virtues of our soldiers and Marines of today who, by their military status show themselves every day to be worthy heirs and who thus preserve by their action and their valor, the flame of remembrance," Gen. Ract-Madoux said.