ABMC @usabmc

On June 6, ABMC joined service members from the Britannia Royal Naval College and Dartmouth Sea Cadets, veterans, and community members in Dartmouth, England, to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings. The annual ceremony began along Dartmouth’s historic harbor before continuing to Dartmouth Monument, where prayers were offered and wreaths laid in honor of the Allied service members who fought for freedom on June 6, 1944. Dartmouth played a vital role in the preparations for the Normandy landings, making it a fitting place to reflect on the courage, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of D-Day. On June 3, 1944, an amphibious force of 485 @RoyalNavy and @USNavy vessels departed from the town to take part in the Allied invasion of Normandy. Learn more about Dartmouth Monument: abmc.gov/cemeteries-mem… @DartmouthBRNC | @USAinUK

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The American Battle Monuments Commission offers a range of digital resources to honor America’s fallen service members and share their stories with the world: • ABMC.gov to learn about our mission, our cemeteries and memorials, and the servicemen and women honored overseas. 👉 abmc.gov • We Remember, a directory to search those service members commemorated at ABMC's overseas cemeteries and memorials. 👉 weremember.abmc.gov • We Preserve, an online catalog that offers access to the rich and diverse collections preserved within ABMC. 👉 wepreserve.abmc.gov • WWII Registry, honoring the 16 million who served in the U.S. armed forces, the more than 400,000 who died, and all who supported the war effort from home. 👉 wwiiregistry.abmc.gov Explore them, and together, let's remember the service and sacrifice of our fallen heroes.️ 🙏

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@HQUSAFEAFAF Band bugler plays "Taps" at Normandy American Cemetery honoring those who fell on D-Day. 🙏

Through careful preservation, thoughtful interpretation, and its connection to other ABMC World War I sites in the region, including Aisne‑Marne American Cemetery and the Château‑Thierry Monument, Belleau Wood continues to honor the Marines who fought there and helps visitors understand the human cost and lasting legacy of the First World War. Whether visited on its own or as part of a broader journey through World War I history in France, Belleau Wood remains a powerful place of remembrance and reflection.

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The Marine Monument at Belleau Wood is unique in Europe, as it is the only memorial on the continent dedicated exclusively to the U.S. Marines. The sculpture was created by Felix de Weldon, the Austrian‑born American artist who also designed the Marine Corps War Memorial in Arlington, Virginia. The monument was inaugurated in 1955 by the commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. Lemuel C. Shepherd Jr., making the ceremony especially meaningful. Thirty‑seven years earlier, Shepherd had fought and been twice wounded at Belleau Wood as a second lieutenant. Today, the monument stands as a powerful tribute to the Marines who fought at Belleau Wood and reflects the lasting bond between the site and the history of the U.S. Marine Corps.

Located in northern France, Belleau Wood is one of the most significant American World War I sites. Closely associated with the @USMC, it marks a decisive moment in the Allied effort to halt the German advance in 1918. Today, Belleau Wood remains both a preserved battlefield and a place of remembrance, carefully maintained for future generations by the American Battle Monuments Commission. Here are three elements that help explain its enduring significance. ⤵️

In 250 years of American history, what would you say were the most significant days? D-Day was more than a battle. It was a turning point in history. 82 years later, we still honor the courage and sacrifice of those who stormed the beach of Normandy in defense of freedom.

“The eyes of the world are upon you... We will accept nothing less than full victory.” On June 6, 1944, Gen. Dwight D. Eisenhower delivered those words ahead of the Allied invasion of Normandy — a mission carried out at tremendous cost. 82 years after D-Day, we pause to honor the brave American and Allied service members who faced impossible odds and helped secure freedom for generations to come. In 2019, President Donald J. Trump paid tribute to their sacrifice at ABMC's Normandy American Cemetery: “They were the citizens of free and independent nations, united by their duty to their compatriots and to millions yet unborn. May God bless our great veterans. May God bless our Allies. And may God bless America.”

On June 6, 2026, the American Battle Monuments Commission commemorated the 82nd anniversary of D Day with a ceremony at Normandy American Cemetery, honoring the service and sacrifice of U.S. military personnel and their allies who gave their lives during the Allied landings and ensuing operations of World War II. World War II veterans present at the ceremony were warmly welcomed by organizers, dignitaries, and attendees, underscoring the enduring gratitude for their service and sacrifice. Among them D-Day veteran, U.S. Navy Lt. Arthur Rose, also addressed the audience, reading from a letter he wrote to his family in the days following the historic landing. Rose, now 107 years old, served as an engineering officer in command of a fleet of 36 vessels during the Normandy campaign, responsible for delivering supplies, ammunition, and equipment to Army forces ashore. Learn more: bit.ly/3Q6bN2L 📸 ABMC/Anthony Gaudun @DeptofWar | @HQUSAFEAFAF | @NATO_SOF | @NSWHQ | @Prefet14 | @SecWar | @SHAPE_NATO | @thejointstaff | @USAfricaCommand | @USAmbFrance | @USAmbNATO | @USArmyEURAF | @USASOCNews | @USEmbassyFrance | @us_eucom | @USNavyEurope | @USNATO | @CaVautrin | @Armees_Gouv

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As we commemorated the 82nd anniversary of D-Day at Normandy American Cemetery, a special tribute was paid to the World War II veterans who attended the ceremony. 📍 Normandy American Cemetery | @usabmc

Commemorating the 82nd anniversary of D-Day at Normandy American Cemetery with WWII veterans. 🇺🇸 🙏 @DeptofWar | @HQUSAFEAFAF | @NATO_SOF | @NSWHQ | @Prefet14 | @SecWar | @SHAPE_NATO | @thejointstaff | @USAfricaCommand | @USAmbFrance | @USAmbNATO | @USArmyEURAF | @USASOCNews | @USEmbassyFrance | @us_eucom | @USNavyEurope | @usnato

On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 Allied troops landed on the beaches of Normandy in the largest seaborne invasion in history. Waves of men battled their way inland at Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword beaches. More than 2,000 Americans lost their lives in the D-Day landings alone, with thousands more perishing in ensuing operations. Today and every day, we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

WWII veterans Richard Baum and Frank Stellar paid their respects to comrade-in-arms U.S. Army Cpl. Thomas A. Miller, from the 20th Armored Division, buried at Normandy American Cemetery. Baum fought in the same unit as Miller. The 20th Armored Division fought in the final months of the war and played a key role in liberating the Dachau concentration camp. Visiting Miller's grave for the anniversary of D-Day was a special way to honor his memory. Baum and Stellar also met with active duty soldiers, school children and ABMC staff who thanked them for their service.

🚨 Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument Parking Lot Closure June 6 ⤵️ Please note that the RV and camper car parking lot at Pointe du Hoc Ranger Monument will be closed all day on June 6, 2026. We are sorry for the inconvenience and appreciate your cooperation and understanding. abmc.gov/news-events/ne…

Soldiers from @101stAASLTDIV and @WestPoint_USMA cadets joined @usabmc staff and family members to place flags in front of the more than 9,000 headstones at Normandy American Cemetery ahead of the D-Day commemorations.

📰 News: New program allocates resources for service member religious identification: @usabmc to partner with @OperBenjamin to ensure Jewish service members rest under Stars of David at overseas cemeteries. ⤵️ In support of the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program, the American Battle Monuments Commission will facilitate headstone changes for Jewish service members incorrectly buried under Latin crosses. ABMC, which operates and maintains 26 cemeteries and 31 memorials and monuments in 17 countries, will partner with Operation Benjamin, a non-profit dedicated to identifying and correcting burial errors of Jewish American service members buried under Latin crosses. The new program provides funding for the partnership to identify, research, and correct burial mistakes for these service members. “Each headstone at our sites represents a father, a sister, an individual whose hopes and dreams were cut short,” said Robert Dalessandro, ABMC’s acting secretary. “Learning more about their stories and ensuring they are at rest in accordance with their religious traditions remains an important part of our mission even all these years later. It helps us bring a deeper meaning to the sacrifices lying beneath each of those headstones.” Learn more: abmc.gov/news-events/ne…

This year's Memorial Day ceremony at Epinal American Cemetery was attended by a very special guest: Stefan Lewandowski, 100-year-old former member of the French Resistance during World War II. Lewandowski was keen to honor those American service members, brothers in arms of another nation, who gave their lives while fighting for the same ideals as his. Lewandowski was deported to Mauthausen concentration camp, then briefly to Gusen II camp, caught dysentery, and miraculously survived. He is the last surviving member of the Resistance from Lorraine, the area where Epinal American Cemetery is located. Epinal American Cemetery honors the memory of more than 5,000 American service members from World War II.

ABMC will commemorate the 82nd anniversary of the D-Day landings at Normandy American Cemetery, on June 6, 2026, at 11 a.m. See the link below to follow AFN Europe's livestream of the ceremony or watch the replay: ⤵️ dvidshub.net/webcast/37998