National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

Ralf Hechler, Ramstein-Miesenbach mayor, speaks to various citizens and NATO representatives during the town's annual National Day of Mourning Ceremony, Nov. 17, 2019. The National Day of Mourning is a German holiday where citizens mourn victims of war. THe National Day of Mourning has been around since 1922. The day was dedicated to the victims of World War I. The National Day of Mourning is categorized as a silent day (Stiller Tag). (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)

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National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

Maxine Antoniou, event attendee, explains the wreaths of various NATO countries to her children at the Ramstein-Miesenbach’s National Day of Mourning Ceremony, Nov. 17, 2019. Antoniou, a former Royal Air Force flight lieutenant, has frequented dedication ceremonies over several years with her children in order to teach them about the past and show the importance of the past sacrifices for freedom and peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)

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U.S. Air Force Col. Matthew Husemann, 86th Airlift Wing Vice Commander, stands in respect before ceremonial wreaths during the City of Kaiserslautern’s National Day of Mourning Ceremony, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Nov. 17, 2019. Kaiserslautern’s Lord Mayor Dr. Klaus Weichel and the German War Graves Commission invited Ramstein Air Base leadership to attend the ceremony. Known in Germany as Volkstrauertag, the National Day of Mounring is a time to remember the tragedy of war and mourn the victims, and to speak out for peace. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

A German military member holds a ceremonial flaming sword during the City of Kaiserslautern’s National Day of Mourning Ceremony, Kaiserslautern, Germany, Nov. 17, 2019. The National Day of Mourning (Volkstrauertag) is an annual German occasion to remember all victims of war and tyranny. It was established in 1922 and was initially dedicated to the victims of World War I. As with the Sunday of the Dead (Totensonntag), the National Day of Mourning is a “silent day,” which means that in some regions of Germany music and dance events are prohibited. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Elizabeth Baker)

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National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ernesto J. Rendon, 86th AW command chief, look on as members of the Ramstein Air Base Honor Guard prepare to lay a wreath during the Ramstein-Miesenbach’s National Day of Mourning Ceremony, Nov. 17, 2019. The National Day of Mourning is a German holiday where citizens mourn victims of war. The ceremony included NATO armed forces members, local officials and members of the Kaiserslautern community. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)

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National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mark R. August, 86th Airlift Wing commander, and U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Ernesto J. Rendon, 86th AW command chief, meet with members of the Ramstein Air Base Honor Guard during Ramstein-Miesenbach’s National Day of Mourning Ceremony, Nov. 17, 2019. The Honor Guard preceded Ramstein AB leadership in carrying the base’s wreath to the war memorial during the ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater)

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NATO countries honor war victims in National Day of Mourning

Published Nov. 18, 2019
By Airman 1st Class Taylor D. Slater
86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

RAMSTEIN-MIESENBACH, Germany --

Ramstein leadership came together with various NATO countries to mourn victims of war in the National Day of Mourning ceremony in Kaiserslautern and Ramstein-Miesenbach November 17, 2019.

National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

191117-F-RA202-1023

National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims

National Day of Mourning: NATO countries honor war victims