Remembering fallen comrades

***image1***In commemoration of Armed Forces Day, a memorial service will be held and Echo Taps played at 11 a.m. May 17 at the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial.

The Lorraine American Cemetery is the largest European cemetery for World War II fallen comrades. More than 10,000 Airmen and Soldiers rest in this cemetery, located 84 kilometers southwest from Ramstein. Cemetery access is free of charge and open to the public 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, including weekends and holidays.

“Our main goal is welcoming and assisting visitors,” said Horace Thompson, superintendent at Lorraine American Cemetery.

“If it is next-of-kin, we will pick them up from the train station, take them to lunch and help them buy flowers,” Mr. Thompson said. “We rarely turn down any next-of-kin requests because we feel they have already paid for any services we render.” 

Guided tours in English are available without prior notice, but for tours in French and German, an appointment is required.

Many untold stories and interesting facts can be found at the cemetery.

“There are 28 pairs of brothers who lay side by side in the cemetery,” Mr. Thompson said. “And one pair is twins who died only one day apart.”

To get to the Lorraine American Cemetery and Memorial, take Autobahn A6 to Saarbrücken and then Autoroute A4 towards Metz/Paris.

For more information, call the cemetery at 0033-387-92-0732, e-mail

lorraine@abmc.gov or visit the Web site at www.abmc.gov.