Guests at this year’s memorial service included one of the America’s top generals, US Army Africa Command General Stephen J. Townsend. 

In his introductory speech, US Embassy Luxembourg chargé d’affairs Casey Mace reminded attendees of the importance of the occasion. 

“Memorial Day is above all, a day of remembrance. A day for us all to take a moment to remember, to honour, mourn, and celebrate the soldiers who gave their lives--the ultimate sacrifice--in the name of the freedom we enjoy today,” Mace said. 

Over 5,000 men and one woman are buried in the Hamm cemetery, and Mace shared several of their personal stories during his speech. 

Among them are Private First Class Philip Warren Weis, who was born in 1923 in Minnesota and whose grandfather was Luxembourger Nicolas Weis, who had emigrated from Insenborn to the US in 1871. Philip Warren Weis had been drafted in 1943 for the 26th Infantry Division. 

“In December 1944, the 26th Division rolled along the Luxembourgish border under the command of General [George] Patton, and on Christmas day, Weis was stationed in Insenborn,” Mace explained. “Twelve days later in the Battle of the Bulge, Private Weis was killed near Schumann’s Eck in the liberation of Wiltz, less than ten miles from his grandfather’s hometown.”

His body was only discovered in November 1945, after the war had ended, accompanied by three torn family photographs. Berle priest Albert Gricius, who found Private Weis’ body, performed the last rites and buried him in the churchyard. Weis was later laid to rest in the Hamm cemetery. 

The memorial event began with a presentation of the colours by the US Embassy Luxembourg marine security guard with an invocation by Cardinal Jean-Claude Hollerich. Education minister Claude Meisch and General Townsend also made remarks on the occasion, and a prayer of remembrance was provided by Didier Schraub of the Jewish Consistory of Luxembourg. 

A wreath presentation followed, which included, among others, marshall of the court Yuriko Backes in attendance on behalf of Grand Duke Henri.