On Aug. 16, the American Battle Monuments Commission held a ceremony to commemorate the 82nd anniversary of Operation Dragoon, the Allied landings in the south of France, at Rhone American Cemetery. The event honored the memory of the American service members who lost their lives during World War II as well as the Allied forces who took part in the conflict.  

A gathering of nations and generations 

Beginning at 9:45 a.m. CET, the ceremony brought together local and international dignitaries, U.S. representatives and members of the local community. They all paid tribute to the more than 1,150 American service members buried or commemorated at the site.  

A ceremony of honor and reflection 

Each aspect of the ceremony echoed a profound respect for the sacrifices made in 1944 during the liberation of southern France.  

The event included speeches from Richard Strambio, Mayor of Draguignan; Alice Rufo, Minister Delegate to the Minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans; and Jeremy Berndt, Counsel General for the United States at Marseille. The ceremony also featured a formal wreath-laying ceremony, followed by the playing of Aux Morts and taps.   

“For us, the people of Draguignan, August 16, 1944, will forever remain etched in our memories,” said cemetery associate Jenny Hofschneider, who provided the English translation for the ceremony narration. “In the streets, the town squares, and in the homes of our city, the local people wept with joy. Their hearts were filled with hope – at last, Draguignan was free.”  

Preserving the legacy 

While the number of living World War II veterans continues to dwindle, ABMC’s responsibility is to preserve their stories and the ideals they fought to pass them to the new generations. ABMC’s mission is not only to honor the past but to commit to the future fulfilling Gen. Pershing’s mission that, “time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”