Honored

The Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery

Belgium

We attended the Memorial Day event at Henri-Chapelle this past weekend. The weather was beautiful and the ceremony very meaningful.

As we drove up, we could see the flag of Belgium at the entrance - flying at half-mast. You can see people in the distance looking out at the view.

Here's a shot of that view of the Ardennes area of Belgium.

At the opposite end of this 57-acre memorial is the American flag - today also flying at half-mast.

Each of the 7,992 gravesites held both a Belgian and an American flag.

This video is of the missing man formation performed by pilots from an airbase in Germany. You will see that one plane moves away from the others. I actually did this filming myself, but almost missed it because, believe it or not, these planes are very quiet.

FYI - The missing man formation is an aerial salute performed as part of a flyover of aircraft at a funeral or memorial event in memory of a fallen pilot.

Speakers for the event were excellent and included the U.S. representative to NATO, the U.S. Ambassador to the European Union, and the U.S. Ambassador to the Kingdom of Belgium.

We are reminded that countries that once fought against each other - our neighbors - are now united in peace and united in the effort for peace in all countries. What an amazing feat.

A mere 70 years ago, right here where we live was occupied by Hitler's army. I cannot imagine it. I simply cannot imagine it.

We have come so far, but freedom is not yet universal. There are millions of people waiting to be liberated, hoping for that freedom we enjoy so much.

In honored memory of those who gave their lives for their country

Freedom is most assuredly not free.