Epinal American Cemetery in France will host its annual Memorial Day Ceremony on May 26, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. Attendance is free and open to the public. If you are a family member of someone who is honored at the cemetery and you're planning to attend the ceremony, please email the cemetery at least two weeks prior to the event.
Presentation of Colors: United States Air Force Color Guard
Flyover: Two F15Es of the 492nd Fighter Squadron US Air Force
Welcoming message: Mr. Hamid Faqir, Superintendent
Opening remarks: Mr. Benoît Howson
Order of the Day: delivered June 6th, 1944, General Dwight D. Eisenhower
Translation read by Kyllian Haxaire (Louis Lapicque High School)
National Anthems: “La Marseillaise” and “The Star-Spangled Banner”, performed by Nouba Band from the 1er Régiment de Tirailleurs d’Epinal
Invocation: Lieutenant Commander Loren Crone, US Navy Chaplain
Welcome address: Mr. François Picoche, Mayor of Dinozé
Memory address: Mr. Michel Heinrich, Mayor of Epinal, Mr. Stéphane Viry, Member of Parliament, US Air Force Major General Kirk Smith, Commander of Special Operations Command Europe
Musical interlude: “Mansions of the Lord” performed by la Nouba Band from the 1er Régiment de Tirailleurs d’Epinal
Biographies and poem: story of 1Lt Wyman and TSgt Williamson followed by “Someone will come” recited by Aaron and Ange
Song: “I’m Dreaming of Home” by the Chantraine & Dinozé Schools with Louise Sarrazin (violin) and Michael and Camille Lampson (bagpipes)
Laying of wreaths
Playing of “Taps”, Raising of the Colors, and Minute of Silence
Closing remarks: Mr. Benoît Howson
“I’m Dreaming of Home” (reprise)