NEWS
U.S. National Cemetery in Mexico City honors fallen
By Therese Margolis/The Herald Mexico
El Universal/Herald Mexico
June 7, 2006
In a solemn ceremony at the U.S. National Cemetery in Colonia San Rafael (Mexico City) on Monday, May 29, the American Legion Alan Seeger Post 2 and the U.S. Embassy paid homage to fallen soldiers from U.S. wars, past and present.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Tony Garza, who was the keynote speaker of the day, urged U.S. citizens around the world to remember those who gave their lives in service to their country, adding that by thus honoring these heroes, “we demonstrate our commitment to the democratic ideals they fought for and died to preserve.”
As the flags of both Mexico and the United States stood at half-mast behind him, Garza went on to say that it is not enough to simply commemorate the fallen with ceremonial ritual.
“We must,” he said, “honor the meaning of the sacrifices of those who have gone before us by advancing their work and by advancing the ideals of democracy and of freedom.” Earlier, American Legion Alan Seeger Post 2 Commander John Lambuth spoke about the significance of Memorial Day as a way of immortalizing those who gave their lives for universal principles, stressing that the spilled blood of true heroes never dies.
The hour-long ceremony began with a somber Parade of Colors led by the Marine Security Guard Detachment of the U.S. Embassy, officers of the Alan Seeger Post 2, and representatives from the Mexican Air Force Squadron 201, which assisted U.S. ground personnel in World War II by flying P-47 bombers in the Philippines.
U.S. Sergeant Major Carlos Salcedo then draped a black flag over an empty chair to honor U.S. POWs and MIAs. Later, an invocation was offered by Father Richard Juniot of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and Garza and Lambuth jointly laid a wreath at the headstone of the cemetery’s tomb of unknown soldiers.
Memorial Day, which was originally known as Decoration Day, was first observed on May 30, 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery in accordance with an official proclamation by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Today, it is traditionally celebrated throughout the United States on the fourth Monday in May.
Article at: http://www.mexiconews.com.mx/18653.html
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