Americans Mark Memorial Day Around the World

Department of Defense Photo Essay

  • Alison Ruble with the USO of Illinois sings the national anthem at the 2010 Chicago Memorial Day Parade Wreath Laying Ceremony held at Daley Plaza on May 29, 2010. The theme of the parade, one of the largest in the nation, was “Honoring Our Military Families.” Illinois National Guard photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Lalita Laksbergs
  • Illinois Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Kevin A. Driscoll, left, U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Albert Turner, Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Michael Baidas, and Marine Corps Staff Sgt. Rodrigo Roman Celis serve as honorary grand marshals of the 2010 Chicago Memorial Day Parade May 29, 2010. The parade's theme was “Honoring Our Military Families.” Illinois National Guard photo by U.S. Army Sgt. Lalita Laksbergs
  • Army National Guardsmen march in the 2010 Chicago Memorial Day Parade on May 29, 2010. The parade's theme was “Honoring Our Military Families” and included a wreath-laying ceremony at the eternal flame on Daley Plaza in downtown Chicago. The soldiers are assigned to the Illinois Army National Guard, 404th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, based in Chicago. Illinois National Guard photo by Army Sgt. Lalita Laksbergs
  • A crowd gathers to see a ceremony, May 29, 2010, at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial outside of Paris honoring American and French pilots who died during World War I. U.S. and French civilian and military leaders paid their respects to America's first combat pilots during the ceremony. The Lafayette Escadrille Memorial is a reminder to all of the American pilots of the Escadrille La Fayette and the Lafayette Flying Corps who died during service to the Allies. U.S. Air Force photo by Capt. Tony Wickman
  • President Barack Obama speaks at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery's 11th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Elwood, Ill., May 31, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy Snyder
  • President Barack Obama stands after laying a wreath in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Ill., May 31, 2010. White House Photo by Pete Souza
  • A large crowd gathers to listen to President Barack Obama speak at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery's 11th Annual Memorial Day Ceremony in Elwood, Ill., May 31, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Kassidy Snyder
  • A Navy sailor holds the national ensign beside the Lone Sailor statue during a Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony at the U.S. Navy Memorial, Washington, D.C., May 31, 2010. The sailor is assigned to the U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Jesse B. Awalt
  • U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. John J. Granville gets a rubbing of his father’s name for the first time at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., May 31, 2010. His father, John E. Granville, who served with 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, in the Vietnam War, died in 2008, from a heart condition that stemmed from injuries he sustained in Vietnam. His name was added to the wall earlier this month. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Benjamin Harris
  • A member of Camp Eggers takes a Memorial Day moment of silence during a ceremony in Kabul, Afghanistan, May, 31, 2010. "What does it takes for a regular citizen to rise to the challenge and be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice in service to their nation," asked Army Lt. Gen. William B. Caldwell, IV, during a speech. "The values of loyalty, duty, respect, selfless-service, honor, integrity and personal courage. Let us all use this day to focus our thoughts and prayers to cherish the memory of those loved and lost in the defense of our nations." U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Jeff Nevison
  • A Memorial Day ceremony is held in honor of all fallen comrades of all wars and all nations is held at Camp Eggers in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 31, 2010. Camp Eggers is headquarters to NATO Training Command - Afghanistan. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Christopher Mobley
  • U.S. Army General Stanley McChrystal, commander of NATO’s International Security Assistance Force, speaks to Afghan and ISAF troops during a Memorial Day service held on Camp Morehead in Kabul, Afghanistan, May 31, 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mark O’Donald
  • A U.S. Army soldier salutes during a Memorial Day service held on Bagram Airfield in Bagram, Afghanistan, May 31, 2010. U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Mark O’Donald
  • U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Bob Cone, deputy commanding general for operations, United States Forces-Iraq and III Corps commander, right, and his senior enlisted advisor, Command Sgt. Maj. Arthur L. Coleman Jr., place a wreath in the rotunda of the Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory in Iraq, during a Memorial Day ceremony May 31, 2010. About 400 service members and civilians attended the event. DoD photo by Lee Craker
  • U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Bob Cone, deputy commanding general for operations, United States Forces-Iraq and III Corps commander, speaks to about 400 servicemembers and civilians during a Memorial Day ceremony at the Al Faw Palace on Camp Victory in Iraq, May 31, 2010. DoD photo by Lee Craker
  • Servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians gather at the top of the Victory Over America Palace in Baghdad to unveil U.S. flags in honor of Memorial Day, May 31, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Yarnall
  • From left to right, U.S. Army Capt. Nathan Hillegas, Capt. Kindall Johnson and Spc. Patrick Williams hold a flag up as servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians gather at the top of the Victory Over America Palace in Baghdad to unveil U.S. flags in honor of Memorial Day, May 31, 2010. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Daniel Yarnall
  • U.S. Army Spc. Sheila Hitchings marches with a Memorial Day wreath on Camp As Sayliyah in Qatar, May 31, 2010. Servicemembers gathered for a moment of remembrance and prayer in tribute to those who gave their lives while serving their nation. U.S. Army photo by Dustin Senger
  • A U.S. marine plays taps during the Memorial Day ceremony at Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 31, 2010. The I Marine Expeditionary Force held a ceremony to remember all war dead including the 15 Marines and one sailor who have died since the transfer of authority. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Heidi Agostini
  • U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Joseph Osterman, commanding general, 1st Marine Division, Col. Robert Castellvi, chief of staff, and Sgt. Maj. Phillip Fascietti pay respects to fallen Marines and sailors following the Memorial Day Ceremony on Camp Leatherneck, Afghanistan, May 31, 2010. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Heidi Agostini
  • U.S. Navy Capt. Robert Young, chaplain, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, leads prayer during a Ceremony at Cimetiere non Musulman de Djibouti, May 31, 2010. The Memorial Day Ceremony honored Pilot Officer Lawrence Maguire, an American who volunteered for the Canadian air force and was among the many servicemembers who gave their lives while serving during World War II. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett
  • U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Gerald Snyder, chaplain, Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa, pays his respects during a Ceremony at Cimetiere non Musulman de Djibouti, May 31, 2010. U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Robert Barnett