Shinseki Presides Over Netherlands Ceremony

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • American and Belgian flags wave beside the tombstones of the 368 American World War I soldiers buried in Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Waregem, Belgium. Flanders Field, located on a World War I battlefield, is the smallest American cemetery in Europe and the only American World War I cemetery in Belgium. U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy
  • Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, left, Queen of the Netherlands, walks with U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki to preside over the 66th annual American Memorial Day ceremony at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, May 30, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Tom Budzyna
  • Belgian school children sing the Belgian and American national anthems while they wave the flags of each nation during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Belgium, May 30, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy
  • At the Memorial Day ceremony at Flanders Field American Cemetery, May 30, 2010, Belgian school children lay flowers on the graves of American soldiers who died during World War I. U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy
  • USAG Brussels soldiers Staff Sgt. Timothy A. McCullough, left, and Sgt. Joshua L. Hanes, right, present wreaths honoring the fallen servicemembers during the Memorial Day ceremony at Flanders Field American Cemetery and Memorial in Waregem, Belgium, May 30, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Bob McElroy
  • U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki accompanies U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands Fay Hartog Levin as they lay a wreath at the 66th annual observation of the American Memorial Day at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, May 30, 2010. This year, the Netherlands is celebrating 65 years of freedom since the end of World War II. U.S. Army photo by Tom Budzyna
  • Her Majesty Queen Beatrix, Queen of the Netherlands, stands with U.S. Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki in solemn remembrance during the 66th annual observation of the American Memorial Day at the Netherlands American Cemetery and Memorial in Margraten, Netherlands, May 30, 2010. Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment USAG Schinnen Sgt. 1st Class Axel Fontenot led a multi-national cadre of servicemembers from all branches of the military in laying more than 65 wreathes where 8,301 American are buried. Local Dutch citizens have adopted every gravesite at the cemetery, and often, this role is handed down from generation to generation. U.S. Army photo by Tom Budzyna
  • Thousands gather at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium, May 30, 2010. A total of 7,992 American World War II soldiers are buried at the cemetery and another 450 are recognized on the wall of the missing. U.S. Army photo by Marie-Lise Baneton
  • At Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery and Memorial, a soldier stands at parade rest beneath the U.S. flag as it flies at half staff to honor those Americans killed while serving their country May 30, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Marie-Lise Baneton
  • A joint color guard presents the colors at the Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium, May 29, 2010. Chièvres Garrison soldiers Sgt. Brandon McIntosh, Spc. Michael Speagle and NCOIC Staff Sgt. Wayne Morey represent the U.S. Army. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jeffrey A. Graziano carries the American colors and Petty Officer 1st Class Mario Penaranda, information technology specialist, carries the Belgian colors. U.S. Army photo by Cis Spook
  • U.S. and Belgian flags wave beside the tombstones of the 5,329 American World War II soldiers buried at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium, May 29, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Cis Spook
  • A visitor pays respects to the WWII dead at Ardennes American Cemetery and Memorial in Belgium, May 29, 2010. A total of 5,329 U.S. soldiers are buried at the cemetery. U.S. Army photo by Cis Spook