On Memorial Day, we visited the Cambridge American Cemetery for the first time. We drive past it frequently -- every time we go to Cambridge -- but hadn't yet been in. We knew there was a ceremony planned, so arrived about an hour early to park and walk the grounds. There is a small museum there to commemorate the Americans who gave their lives in the war effort during WWII, mostly in the air-based Battle of the Atlantic. There are only a few American cemeteries for servicemen killed in action overseas -- we hope to go to Normandy before we leave to see another. There are nearly 4000 servicemen buried here in Cambridge, and over 5000 other commemorated on a memorial for those missing in action. A very sobering place.
There were many active duty American servicemen and women participating in the ceremony from the RAF bases in the area. It was a chilly and windy day, but we were glad we had attended the event. Here are some pictures Paul took.
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| Laying wreaths at the memorial wall for those missing in action |
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| The airmen lined up for the 21 gun salute. I prepped Charlotte so she didn't get upset at the gunfire. |
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| Piper |
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| After the ceremony, we walked up to where the Air Force band had been playing. One of the trumpet players showed Charlotte the sound his mouthpiece made. She was wary. |
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| Symbolic map of where the airplanes flew from the Cambridge area during WWII |
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