As Memorial Day approaches, U.S. European Command (USEUCOM) will commemorate the annual observance with a series of virtual events.

For more than 150 years, the U.S. has set aside a day to honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of the Nation. Every year, the federal holiday is observed the last Monday in May.

“While these men and women were forever ripped from the fabric of their communities, they continue to be loved, mourned, and missed,” said Gen. Tod D. Wolters, commander, U.S. European Command. “Their unwavering devotion to one another, the nation they loved, and the cause of freedom…transcend time and space.”  

While typically USEUCOM would participate in Memorial Day ceremonies at all 21 U.S. military cemeteries in Europe with color guards, troop formations, chaplains, general officer/flag officer speakers, military bands/buglers, firing details and flyovers, all public ceremonies were cancelled this year due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

To demonstrate the importance of commemorating Memorial Day despite a global pandemic, Lt. Gen. Stephen Twitty, deputy commander, USEUCOM; Chief Master Sgt. Phillip Easton, command senior enlisted leader; and Col. Kleet Barclay, command chaplain, participated in a closed Memorial Day mini-ceremony that maintained social distance, flanked by the USEUCOM Joint Color Guard wearing black masks, at Patch Barracks May 15. Video of the event will be posted May 23 on the command’s social media channels at www.facebook.com/eucom, www.twitter.com/us_eucom and www.instagram.com/eucomofficial -- as well as American Forces Network- Europe’s social media channels and TV. 

USEUCOM will also amplify the American Battle Monuments Commission’s (ABMC) virtual Memorial Day ceremonies May 25, scheduled to post at 2 p.m. CET (WWI cemetery) and 6 p.m. CET (WWII cemetery) on ABMC’s social media channels.  In addition to pre-recorded remarks from Gen. Wolters, the ceremonies will also include a joint rendition of the National Anthem pre-recorded by the U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band; the U.S. Army Europe Band; and the U.S. Naval Forces Band.

“While coronavirus has disrupted life around the world to an unprecedented degree, we continue the Memorial Day tradition, Lt. Gen. Twitty said. “A global pandemic does not lessen our commitment to honoring our fallen heroes.”