Remembrance Day, new U.S. memorial honors past, present warriors

  • Published
  • By Brig. Gen. Robert P. Steel
  • 48th Fighter Wing commander
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  On Oct. 15 the Air Force Memorial Foundation officially opened to the public the Air Force Memorial in Washington D.C. Adjacent to Arlington Cemetery, the memorial overlooks the Pentagon and our nation's capital.

The Air Force Memorial honors the millions of patriotic men and women who have served the United States Air Force and its predecessor organizations including the Aeronautical Division, U.S. Signal Corps; the Aviation Section, U.S. Signal Corps; the Division of Military Aeronautics, Secretary of War; the Army Air Service; the U.S. Army Air Corps; and the U.S. Army Air Forces. With losing more than 54,000 Airmen in combat while serving in the Air Force, this is the perfect way to pay tribute to those who have come before us.

Often when I'm in uniform and walking around the cities and towns my family and I have been stationed at in my career, people have approached me to say "thank you for serving." Although it is nice to be recognized for our service, it is also important to remember all the men and women who have put their lives on the line to protect our way of life. Our new Air Force Memorial immortalizes the memories and service of our past, present and future Airmen, especially poignant on this Veterans Day weekend.

Just like the U.S.'s Veterans Day, I'm sure many of you have seen our British friends and neighbors wearing red poppies with a for our host nation, culminating in U.K's Remembrance Day.

On Remembrance Day, the second Sunday of November every year, Britons gather to pay tribute to the men and women lost in the two world wars and other conflicts. They honor the memories of those who have come before them and paid the ultimate sacrifice.

As long as RAF Lakenheath has existed, Americans and Britons have stood side by side and fought for liberty and freedom. In many battles, we lost our countrymen together.

As we celebrate Remembrance Day tomorrow and Sunday with our host nation, reflect on the common sacrifice both the U.K. and U.S. have made for freedom's cause. Just as respect is paid in Washington at our newest remembrance monument, we also pay respect to the memories of our allies service and our shared warrior heritage, as well.

Each year a poem by Laurence Binyon is recited on Remembrance Day at the memorial services held all over the United Kingdom. The most famous stanza reads:
They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning We will remember them.

Please join our host nation, our allies and our friends tomorrow and Sunday at one of the many Remembrance Day events as they mourn the loss of those who fell serving their nation in the fight for freedom.