The weekend of September 17, 2022, ten American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) cemeteries will be featured in a series of events dedicated to highlighting European cultural heritage and ensuring citizens are aware of the historic significance of these sites. This year's theme is "sustainable heritage."
This year, the European Heritage Days is held at the following ABMC sites: Ardennes American Cemetery (ARAC), Brittany American Cemetery (BRAC), Cambridge American Cemetery (CAAC), Epinal American Cemetery (EPAC), Lafayette Escadrille Memorial Cemetery (LEMC), Lorraine American Cemetery (LOAC), Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery (MAAC), Netherlands American Cemetery (NEAC), Normandy American Cemetery (NOAC), St. Mihiel American Cemetery (SMAC) and Suresnes American Cemetery (SUAC).
Participating sites will offer free activities during regular operating hours that enable the public to learn more about ABMC, the way ABMC manages horticulture to adapt to climate change, the two World Wars, the history of the sites, as well as stories of service men and women buried within their grounds.
"European Heritage Days provides ABMC a unique opportunity to share with visitors the stories of the men and women commemorated overseas, and unveils how these hallowed grounds are maintained," said Karen Wurzburger, Visitor Services & Interpretation director at ABMC. "It enables ABMC to carry on Gen. John J. Pershing's promise that 'time will not dim the glory of their deeds,' and to ensure the stories of those who made the ultimate sacrifice are still remembered."
The program at ABMC sites is as follows:
- BRAC: September 17 and 18, at 2 p.m., ABMC staff will organize tours through the cemetery and memorial. No reservations needed.
- CAAC: September 17-18 will have three tours per day. CAAC interpretive staff will offer historic tours focusing on "astounding inventions." In addition, CAAC staff will also offer horticultural tours.
Reservations are needed through the following links:
Dare-devils, Boffins and Cowboys: WWII technology in your lives today | Open Cambridge
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cutting-edge-technology-the-evolution-of-21st-century-grounds-keeping-tickets-391741177407
- EPAC: September 17 and 18, at 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m., ABMC staff will conduct tours on the origin of the American memorial and cemetery. Reservations are needed by email at epinal@abmc.gov.
- LEMC: September 17 and 24, the exhibit "First World War Aces," will be displayed for visitors to learn more about the American military aviators who fought with France during the Great War. The exhibit was developed in partnership with ONACVG (https://www.onac-vg.fr/). No reservations needed.
- MAAC: September 17, at 3 p.m., ABMC staff will guide visitors through the cemetery. September 18, at 10 a.m., staff will offer an informational tour of the memorial. Reservations needed.
- NEAC: September 18, at 3:30 p.m., the 17th edition of the Liberation Concert will take place. This is the annual concert by the Philharmonic Orchestra of South Limburg. No reservations needed.
- NOAC: September 17 and 18, ABMC staff at NOAC will offer a Memory Trail with talks at different locations on various topics. Visitors will have the opportunity to follow all talks or pick up the ones they are most interested in. Thematic guided tours will also be provided: one for the general public, and one with a focus on families with young children. No reservations needed.
- SMAC: September 17 and 18, at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., ABMC's greenspace workers will meet with the public and explain how they fulfill their mission of commemoration through excellent standards of care, while adapting to new environmental challenges. Tours will take place at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. No reservations needed.
- SUAC: From September 17 to 22, the "Faces of Suresnes" exhibit will take place. Over 1,000 photographs will be displayed next to the headstones and inside the chapel in front of the Walls of the Missing, honoring the men and women who lost their lives and rest at SUAC. No reservations are necessary. Guided tours are available upon request, by contacting suresnes@abmc.gov
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