LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg - Cadets from Heidelberg High School Army JROTC recently honored fallen Soldiers in a wreath-laying ceremony held at Luxembourg American Cemetery.
The Luxembourg American Cemetery was established Dec. 29, 1944, by Third U.S. Army while Allied Forces were stemming the Germans offensive in the Ardennes.
Not far from the cemetery entrance, the Heidelberg cadets assembled in front of a white stone chapel set on a wide circular platform embellished with sculpture in bronze and stone.
Flanking the chapel at a lower level are two large stone pylons upon which are map inscriptions
recalling the achievements of the American armed forces.
As the early morning sun filled the sky Cadet Lt. Col. Katelyn Bronell called her unit to attention and saluted as the battalions' color guard hoisted the U.S. colors over the graves of 5,076 World War II Soldiers (most of whom lost their lives in the Battle of the Bulge).
"Raising the colors over the fallen made me think about ... the sacrifice they made. I hope someday all will understand what America has done for freedom," said Cadet Cpl. Matthew Magee.
A wreath was gently placed in the cemetery's chapel and a slow salute was rendered. A moment
of silence was observed by all the cadets in honor of those buried.
"Laying a wreath was a very humbling experience. It makes you refl ect on the sacrifices that so many soldiers made in the name of freedom," Cadet Capt. Trenton Floyd said.
The cadets received a one hour briefing about the invasion of Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge, after which they toured the cemetery, pausing to read the names engraved on the headstones.
"This was a wonderful learning experience for our cadets and a chance for them to learn about the sacrifices Soldiers made for our freedom," said Cadet Pfc. Tyler Hockensmith.
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