BELLEAU, France -- More than 200 Marines and Sailors from numerous commands joined together with thousands of French locals at the World War I Aisne-Marne American Cemetery and Memorial near the tiny village of Belleau, France to mark the 90th anniversary of the Battle of Belleau Wood during a Memorial Day ceremony May 25.
Commandant of the Marine Corps Gen. James T. Conway joined Vice Chief of Staff for the French Army Gen. Elrick Irastorza and American Ambassador to France Craig Stapleton to pay tribute the American and French soldiers and Marines who gave their lives in the defense of liberty.
The ceremony featured speeches and wreath presentations by the distinguished guests, poetry readings from local students, and performances by the French Army Band, the U.S. Marine Drum and Bugle Corps and Silent Drill Platoon.
“Throughout our Nation’s life, magnificent heroes have fought for our and others freedom in places like the wheat fields of Belleau Wood, the snows of Chosin in Korea, and the jungles of Vietnam,” Conway said during his speech. “On this Memorial Day, I salute the fighting men and women of all services and their families. It is fitting that we, as a nation, take the time to honor those who have given all in defense of their country.”
Nearly 4,000 local nationals, tourists, service members and family members were present at the ceremony. At the reception that followed, American and French men and women took time to enjoy camaraderie and champagne at the Bulldog Fountain in Belleau, also a site of pilgrimage for Marines.
“As a Marine, (the event) was important because it is our history,” said Gunnery Sgt. Miguel Barrera, adjutant chief for Marine Corps Forces Europe. “Seeing the passion and gratitude that the French displayed for us as Marines made it clear that…freedom is something that we must continue to pursue throughout the world.”
“For the people here, it is a great opportunity to strengthen the Franco-American friendship,” said Herreman Alexandre, a local and collector of World War I memorabilia. “We look forward to this day each year. It is a very grand day.”
In addition to the memorial ceremony, the trip gave the Marines and their families the opportunity to walk in the foot steps of the Devil Dogs who fought at Belleau Wood and the surrounding towns during a guided professional military education tour.
During a battlefield PME the Marines and their families were visited places like Hill 142, a strategic hill that secured an important flank of Belleau Wood itself; Lucy le Bocage, a small village that served as an important command center during the battle; Bouresches, a vital village on the right flank of the wood that was the site of fierce combat; and Belleau Wood itself, where the Marines helped turn the tide of World War I by stopping the Germans in their advance to Paris.
“To not have served in combat and actually walk on hollowed grounds at the battle site, clearly gave me the perspective on how brutal the fog of war can really be,” said Chief Warrant Officer 3 Kurt Garcia, Marine Forces Europe administration quality assurance officer-in-charge. “To actually see trenches, fox holes, machine gun nests and trees that have obvious scarring from blasts by artillery shells, still in existence after 90 years is truly remarkable and something I will never forget.”
Overall, the two-day event gave the Marines and their family members the opportunity to pause and reflect on those who have gone before and to honor the men and women who today, stand in defense of freedom and liberty around the world.
“During the battle, it was clear to me that our Marines had unimaginable circumstances to overcome,” Garcia said. “It gives me great pleasure to know that today; we still have men and women willing to put themselves in harms way in protecting our freedoms and way of life.”