Aaron Howson and Superintendent Anderson stand with folded flag.

Aaron Howson, who lives in the French village of Chantraine near Epinal American Cemetery, raises and lowers two American flags every day at his home.

During the first half of the 20th century, the United States fought in two World Wars. The nation’s identity and culture changed as more than 500,000 Americans lost their lives in these conflicts, and millions more became veterans.

SSgt. Salvador Lara in uniform.

As part of National Hispanic Heritage Month, ABMC honors the contributions made by Hispanic-Americans, such as SSgt. Salvador Lara, as members of the U.S. armed forces.

Historic image of USS St. Mary's

At just 14 years old, Michael Hanson served as a cabin boy aboard the USS St Mary’s, a small naval vessel that served as part of the “Pacific Squadron” in the Union navy.

Members of the 82nd Airborne Division.

In September 1944, three Allied airborne divisions landed in the Netherlands as part of Operation Market–Garden. With the goal of moving Allied forces across the Rhine River, troops would have to seize control of key bridges and roads to accomplish this task.

Ceremony participants stand in front of the Wall of the Missing.

Pfc. Cecil Harris of Company D, 179th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division went missing on January 2, 1945 in northeastern France during Operation Nordwind. On that day, elements of his unit had been tasked with the mission of holding a defensive position near Dambach, France.

Dalessandro raises right hand for swearing in by Cleland.

With more than three decades as a public servant, Rob Dalessandro brings his experience and knowledge to the American Battle Monuments Commission as the new deputy secretary for Headquarters Operations. As a retired Army officer, former chief of the U.S.

U.S. artillerymen fire 75mm gun toward Montsec from a position near Beaumont on September 12, 1918.

ABMC was created in 1923 to manage the country’s overseas, World War I cemeteries and memorials, and part of the agency’s work included the writing and publishing of “American Armies and Battlefields in Europe: A History, Guide and Reference Book.”

WWII veterans salute during the ceremony.

Ten weeks after the Normandy landings in northern France, Operation Dragoon, the amphibious invasion of southern France, marked a critical victory for the