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COLLEVILLE-SUR-MER, France — “The right place to be” summed up the sentiment of many 21st Theater Sustainment Command Soldiers who participated in the Memorial Day ceremony May 27 at the Normandy American Cemetery here. The approximately 35 Soldiers from the 21st TSC provided the color guard, the rifle squad and an honor platoon for the ceremony.
“This is the No. 1 place I wanted to visit in all of Europe. It is the sight of so much sacrifice. To be here in uniform, especially for Memorial Day, is a great honor — a way for me to pay my respects,” said 2nd Lt. Aaron Dermon, the deputy dispersing officer with the 21st TSC’s 266th Financial Management Center.
In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Aundre F. Piggee, commanding general of the 21st TSC, acknowledged a similar indebtedness.
“As we commemorate the fallen resting here, we are reminded how great a debt of gratitude we owe,” he said.
About 9,387 Americans and 1,557 Soldiers, who went missing during the Normandy campaign, are buried in Normandy.
“This sea of crosses and stars of David is a stark reminder of the sacrifices of these selfless men and women, who found the extraordinary courage to serve, to do battle and to die for the hopes of the free world,” Piggee said.
Indeed, the morning downpour and heavy rain clouds did not prevent a sizable crowd of visitors from attending the ceremony and paying their respects at the immaculately landscaped cemetery, which overlooks the famed Omaha Beach and the English Channel.
Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial is the final resting place for three Medal of Honor recipients and four women. Additionally, a father and son as well as 33 pairs of brothers are buried here, side by side. In addition to a small number of service members from England, Scotland and Canada, the men and women interred in the cemetery hail from all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia.
Memorial Day has never been just another long weekend or a day for beach parties, said Sgt. 1st Class Renae Brintley, a Standard Army Retail Supply System material management noncommissioned officer with the 21st TSC’s Support Operations, who led the honor platoon.
“I am third-generation military (member) and grew (up) learning that Memorial Day is about honor and sacrifice,” he said. “And being here in Normandy at this cemetery is a real privilege.”
For Staff Sgt. Maricely Booker, a senior financial management analyst with the 266th FMC, it was her second visit to the cemetery. Three years ago, she accompanied her husband, then part of the 21st TSC’s honor guard. While there, she decided she had to come back and serve in uniform. Watching World War II movies might make someone sad, but seeing the reality of this many headstones is overwhelming, she said.
“It is important to take the time and honor these Soldiers who sacrificed so much. Being here gives you a different perspective,” Booker said. “Once you come here, you never forget.”
