Each year on Memorial Day a service is held at the American Cemetery at Madingley in Cambridge, UK.
THE 2011 MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE TOOK PLACE AT THE CAMBRIDGE AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY (MADINGLEY) ON MONDAY 30 MAY AT 11AM
On Memorial Day we remember all those who died for our freedom. Sixty-seven years ago, on this very day, the 489th Bomb Group flew their first mission to Oldenburg. The group lost two men on that first mission and we also remember today, Lt Joseph Garber, Navigator on Lt Ray Blanchard’s crew, who was killed by flak, and S/Sgt. Aldo Pellini who died when his B24 ditched in the sea returning from the mission. The other eight members of his crew drifted in two life rafts until 3 June, when they were picked up by a Dutch fishing boat and turned over to the Germans. (‘A History of the 489th’ by Charles Freudenthal)
The Memorial Ceremony today at Madingley was a very moving service where speakers paid tribute to the fallen. Floral tributes were laid the full length of The Wall of the Missing.
The Service followed the same format as in previous years. Speeches were given by Mr. Hugh Duberly, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire; Ms Barbara Stephenson, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of the United States, London, UK; and, Lieutenant General John Gardner, USArmy Deputy Commander, US European Command.
The Prayer of Remembrance was given by Chaplain, Captain Phillip Kiam, 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall.
The Fly-by Tributes came from RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath:
MC-130H from 352d Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall.
KC-135R from 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall.
F-15C Formation from 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath.
2011 Memorial Day - a young serviceman carries our tribute to the 489th
2011 Memorial Day Ceremony, Madingley, UK
2011 Memorial Day Ceremony, Madingley, UK
2011 Memorial Day Ceremony, Madingley, UK
2011 Maisie Woolnough from Halesworth (Friends of the 489th) laid our tribute
2011 Memorial Day, Madingley, UK
2011 Memorial Day: Halesworth Airfield Memorial Site (the grass is going brown for lack of rain in Halesworth!)
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2010
2010 Madingley - Pam and Sid Wilby from Halesworth (Friends of the 489th) holding the Friends' tribute to the 489th.
(This photo was taken by Reed Hammans from the Second Air Division Heritage League - visiting from the USA.)
THE 2010 MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE TOOK PLACE AT THE CAMBRIDGE AMERICAN MILITARY CEMETERY (MADINGLEY) ON MONDAY 31 MAY AT 11AM
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The published programme for the day gives the Order of Service, a list of the Groups presenting floral tributes, and the following written tributes:
Heroes of America – Remembered in England
“Today’s memorial ceremony is held in a tiny piece of England’s ‘green and pleasant land’ given by the University of Cambridge to the United States of America to remember their fallen. The cemetery was first established December 7, 1943, the second anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Construction of the cemetery and memorial was completed in 1956, and was dedicated on July 16th of that year. East Anglia was used extensively during World War II, and a great number of airfields sprang up all over it’s flat landscape, as it made an ideal natural landing field for aircraft. Also, East Anglia is an area where a large number of American casualties occurred. There are 3,811 American war dead buried at the cemetery. In addition, a few non-American citizens are interned who died in the service of the United States during the second World War.”
FREEDOM’s MEMORIAL
“This day is set aside to honor those
who took the chance to die
But they have died in vain
if we ever forget the reason why.
Freedom can be like time slipping away
before we even know
But we all have the choice more,
a duty to battle freedom’s foe.
Let us give thanks this day to all those brave
who paid the highest cost
Not take it for granted and realize
it easily could be lost.”
THE WALL OF THE MISSING
“The Americans, whose names appear here, were part of the price that free men for the second time in this century have been forced to pay to defend human liberty and rights.
All who shall hereafter live in freedom will be here reminded that to these men and their comrades we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their sacrifice and high resolve that the cause for which they died shall live eternally.”
- * *
Order of Service (31 May 2010)
- * *
Arrival of Official Party
Posting of Colours
RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard
The British National Anthem/ The United States National Anthem
The United States Air Forces in Europe Band
Introduction
Lieutenant Colonel Brett D Pennington
Commander, 351st Air Refueling Squadron
Master of Ceremonies
Invocation
Chaplain, Lieutenant Colonel Frederick H Viccellio
100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall
Welcome Remarks
Read Admiral Ronald H Henderson, Jr
US Defense Attache, United Kingdom
Opening Remarks
Mr Hugh Duberly
Her Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire
Cemetery History
Recognition of Veterans
Moment of Silence
Presentation of Floral Decorations
Prayer of Remembrance
Chaplain, Kieutenant Colonel Frederick H Viccellio
100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall
Fly-by Tributes
B-17 “Sally B”
MC-130H from 352nd Special Operations Group, RAF Mildenhall
KC-135R from 100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall
Firing of Volleys / Taps
RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard
Fly-by Tributes
F-15E Missing Man Formation from 48th Fighter Wing, RAF Lakenheath
Closing Remarks / End of Ceremony
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(Here follows an account of the 2009 Service)
The Memorial Day Ceremony took place at Madingley, Cambridge, UK on 25 May 2009. The Service began at 11am.
- * *
Order of Service
- * *
Arrival of Official Party
Posting of Colors
RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard
The British National Anthem/ The United States National Anthem
The United States Air Forces in Europe Band
Introduction
Lt Col David E Stookey
Commander, 100th Communications Squadron
Master of Ceremonies
Welcome Remarks
Mr Richard LeBaron
Charge d’Affaires ad interim
Invocation
Chaplain, Major Stuart King
100th Air Refueling Wing, RAF Mildenhall
Opening Remarks
Mr Hugh Duberly
Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire
Address
Ms Jonna Doolittle Hoppes
Cemetery History
Recognition of Veterans
Moment of Silence
Presentation of Floral Decorations
Prayer of Remembrance
Fly-by Tributes
KC-135 from RAF Mildenhall
Firing of Volleys/Taps
RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard
Fly-by Tributes
F-15C Missing Man Formation from RAF Lakenheath
Closing Remarks / End of Ceremony
- * *
The Official Programme lists 111 Floral Decoration Presentation tributes to the fallen.
This programme also contains the following:
Heroes of America – Remembered in England
Today’s memorial ceremony is held in a tiny piece of England’s “green and pleasant land” given by the University of Cambridge to the United States of America to remember their fallen. The cemetery was first established December 7 1943, the second anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Construction of the cemetery and memorial was completed in 1956, and was dedicated on July 16th of that year. East Anglia was used extensively during World War II, and a great number of airfields sprang up all over its flat landscape, as it made an ideal natural landing field for aircraft. Also, East Anglia is an area where a large number of American casualties occurred. There are 3,811 American war dead buried at the cemetery. In addition, a few non-American citizens are interned who died in the service of the United States during the Second World War.
Freedoms’ Memorial
This day is set aside to honor those
who took the chance to die.
But they have died in vain
if we ever forget the reason why.
Freedom can be like time slipping away
before we even know.
But we all have the choice more,
a duty to battle freedoms’ foe.
Let us give thanks this day to all those brave
who paid the highest cost.
Not take it for granted and realize
it easily could be lost.
The Wall of the Missing
“The Americans, whose names appear here, were part of the price that free men for the second time in this century have been forced to pay to defend human liberty and rights.
All who shall hereafter live in freedom will be here reminded that to these men and their comrades we owe a debt to be paid with grateful remembrance of their sacrifice and high resolve that the cause for which they died shall liver eternally.”
PRESIDENT DWIGHT D EISENHOWER
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The following selection of photographs give a flavour of the 2009 Memorial Day at Madingley.
2009 Memorial Service - 489th Bomb Group Wreath
2009 - BEFORE THE SERVICE
2009 - Floral Tributes are delivered to the cemetery
2009 - Ms Jonna Doolittle Hoppes with Officials on the Chapel steps
2009 - The Chapel
2009 - Music from the USAFE Band
The wreath carriers (military volunteers) assemble before the service
2009 - The Posting of Colors - RAF Mildenhall Honor Guard
The wreath carriers (military volunteers) move into position along the Wall of the Missing
Each wreath carrier holds an organization's wreath and has an identifying number clipped to their jacket.
2009 - 111+ floral tributes are carried the entire length of The Wall of the Missing
2009 - The wreath presenters move into position in front of their own organization's wreath
The wreath presenters in position
More wreath presenters take their places in front of their floral tributes
The wreath carriers depart
The wreath presenters await their direction from the Master of Ceremonies
2009 The Presentation of the Floral Decorations - followed by a moment of Silence and a Prayer of Remembrance.
2009 The wreath presenters return to their seats
489th Friend, Sue Bacle returns after laying the 489th tribute
2009 KC-135 from RAF Mildenhall
2009 F-15C Missing Man Formation from RAF Lakenheath
2009 - The Memorial Day Service comes to a close
489th Friend Marjorie Shiers with tribute to the 489th
2009 Friends of the 489th
2009 Madingley Memorial Cemetery
2009 Madingley Memorial Cemetery
2009 - Madingley Memorial Cemetery
2009 - Madingley Memorial Cemetery
2009 - Madingley Memorial Cemetery
2009 - Robert Clendenning Jr., 1 Lt, 846th Bomb Squadron, 489 Bomb Group (H), New Jersey - Sept 27 1944
2009 - Flower beds beside the Chapel
2009 - The Chapel and cemetery
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General notes on Memorial Day at Madingley:
2007 Memorial Day at the American Cemetery Madingley Cambridge
The service is a joint event organised by the US Embassy, the Third Air Force and Cemetery staff. Invitations to attend are sent by the American Ambassador. It is an outdoor service and goes ahead whatever the weather.
28 May 2006 Memorial Day - Chapel at Madingley
The service each year follows a similar format with the Posting of Colors, the National Anthems of both nations, Welcome, Invocation, Address, followed by the Recognition of Veterans and the Presentation of Floral Decorations. A Moment of Silence is followed by a Prayer of Remembrance. After a Firing of Volleys, the flag is raised and Taps is played.
The service is followed by the United States Air Force “Missing Man” formation and sometimes a WWII aircraft.
2006 Memorial Day Service at Madingley - The Colour Party from the Royal British Legion
Every year the Friends of the 489th lay a floral wreath in remembrance of the servicemen lost whilst stationed on Holton (Halesworth) airfield. On a number of occasions, 489th veterans have been present.
2008 - 489th Veteran John Lamar lays the wreath on Memorial Day