KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Hundreds of Soldiers, Airmen, Marines, family members, local citizens and honored guests gathered at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial to honor the veterans of the U.S. military during a Veterans Day ceremony in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg Nov. 11.
Among the guests were Maj. Gen. John R. O'Connor, the commanding general of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, and Robert A. Mandell, the U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg, along with senior leaders from the 52nd Fighter Wing out of Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany.
"History is replete with accounts of free men and women who've put themselves in harm's way in order to ensure freedom continues to prevail," O'Connor told the attendees. "It's humbling to visit the graves of our fallen heroes, particularly at a time when we have brave servicemen and women around the world also willing to do whatever is necessary to protect all that we hold dear."
Airmen from the 52nd Fighter Wing and the 726th Air Mobility Squadron provided a color guard, bugler, honor flight and firing detail for the event.
Throughout the event, the cold weather and moderate rain did not detract from the message delivered by the ceremony's key speakers.
Both O'Connor and Mandell delivered powerful messages, honoring those who have served and those who continue to serve.
"Our military personnel are always there for us," said Mandell. "There's never hesitation; never a lapse in service; and never a question when America asks our military to fight for our freedom."
"They go when they know they might not come home, and they go when they know it's not the popular thing to do," Mandell added.
Following the speeches, the firing detail fired a 21 gun volley, and the bugler played Taps followed by a moment of silence in honor of those who have fallen.
Those service members buried at the Luxembourg Cemetery "share a special heritage and common bond with the Soldiers of today," said O'Connor. "The young men and women who signed up to serve their country over the past 13 years did so knowing the risks were high and did so in the name of liberty."
Veterans Day is celebrated each year on Nov. 11 and coincides with other holidays celebrated throughout the world such as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which marks the end of World War I.
The federal holiday honors the service of all U.S. military veterans and is observed on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, the precise time hostilities in World War I ended with the official beginning of the armistice with Germany.
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