Spangdahlem Airmen honor veterans

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office
SPANGDAHLEM AIR BASE, Germany (AFPN) --  Despite the rainy weather and the chill in the air, men and women of all ages gathered at the Luxembourg American Cemetery and Memorial Nov. 11 to honor past and present military veterans during a Veterans Day ceremony. 

"Being here is a reminder of a generation of sacrifice to ensure the freedom of not just Americans but people across the world," said Col. Thomas Feldhausen, the 52nd Fighter Wing vice commander at Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany. 

Those who assembled to pay tribute to veterans traveled from near and far. Members of the Spangdahlem AB Honor Guard, Eifel Signers, U.S. Veteran Friends, U.S. Marines, Boy Scouts of America, Luxembourg Army Buglers and other groups in the surrounding area participated in the ceremony. In addition, Steve Kraft, the U.S. Embassy charge d'affaires and deputy chief of mission, spoke during the memorial ceremony. 

More than 90 people from Spangdahlem AB attended the ceremony. Airman 1st Class Jean LaBarre, a 52nd Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, drove one of the buses carrying Spangdahlem Airman to the ceremony. 

"I consider it a great honor and a great privilege to pay my respects," Airman LaBarre said. "I am proud to be part of their line. When I had the opportunity to come here, I jumped on it right away." 

Airman LaBarre was not the only person eager to attend this ceremony. Some veterans who served in World War II and the Vietnam War made a special trip from the states to honor and pay their respects to fellow veterans. 

"I am proud to be an American and to have spent 32 years in the Air Force," said retired Col. John Parker, a World War II veteran. 

After the ceremony Colonel Parker reflected on his time spent fighting in World War II. 

"I enlisted in the infantry the day after Pearl Harbor, it was the patriotic thing to do," Colonel Parker said. "It was great to be a member of a team (that) knew what we were there for and had no hesitation to do what needed to be done." 

The Luxembourg cemetery is home to the remains of 5,071 U.S. Veterans of World War II, most from the Battle of the Bulge. Among the 5,071 graves lie interred the remains of 101 unknown U.S. Soldiers. Gen. George S. Patton Jr., commander of 3rd Army, is also buried there. His granddaughter, Helen Patton Plusczyk, was among those who attended the ceremony.