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Military Ceremonies and Commemorations

Images of soldiers in formation during commemorative events, highlighting military honor in settings such as France and Germany.

Polish soldiers stand at attention during a Victory Day remembrance ceremony, Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland, May 8, 2022. Victory Day, or V - E Day in the United States, recognizes the end of World War II in the European theater, and remembers the sacrifices of service members and civilians lost during the conflict.

Air Force Instruction and Military Training School (Limos) in Nijmegen.Exceriate.

The banner of the connecting service is greeted during the visit of and by O.A. Z.K.H. Prince Bernhard.

000516-F-3050V-001. Subject Operation/Series: COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2000 Base: Lager Aulenbach State: Rheinland-Pfalz Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU) Scene Major Command Shown: United States European Command

230928-N-VC599-1017 U.S. NAVAL BASE GUAM (Sept. 28, 2023) Sailors assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Annapolis (SSN 760) hold signs to welcome the Republic of Korea Navy Sonwonil-class submarine ROKS Jeong Ji (SS 073) as it arrives at U.S. Naval Base Guam, Sept. 28, 2023. Annapolis is one of multiple submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron (CSS) 15. Annapolis is capable of supporting various missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-ship warfare, strike warfare, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance.

Representatives from the 23 participating nations in Exercise TRADEWINDS 2022 parade during the exercise opening ceremony in Belize City, Belize on May 7, 2022.Photo: Corporal Mitchell Paquette, 12 Wing Imaging Services

000511-F-4884R-010. Subject Operation/Series: COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2000 Base: Baumholder Country: Deutschland / Germany (DEU)

U.S. Marines with 2nd Network Battalion, Marine Corps Cyberspace Operations Group, participate in the 2nd Network Battalion Labor Day Fun Run at Goettge Memorial Field House, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Sept. 2, 2022. Second Network Battalion hosted a fun run event in order to promote unit readiness and camaraderie since its activation in 2021.

Troopers assigned to 1-12 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division participated in a WWII Commemoration Wreath Laying Ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie Municiple Cemetery in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland Sept. 1, 2022. Participating in events like these promote partnership between U.S. and Polish forces and the civilian population.

050915-A-7274K-039. Base: New Orleans State: Louisiana (LA) Country: United States Of America (USA) Scene Major Command Shown: Northeast

Public roll call of the Army Officers' School on Theatre Square: Bundeswehr honours and bids farewell to young soldiers, Dresden, Saxony, Germany, Europe

The Norwegian delegation to the Congress of the International Organization of Reserves stands at attention on the parade ground during the opening ceremonies. Base: Fort Meade State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Tim Kuhn, right, the associate labor and employment law counsel for the Civilian Employment Law, Western Area Counsel Office, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, receives the Nations Colors from Col. Pat Uetz, retired, during his retirement ceremony at the Memorial Golf Course on Camp Pendleton, California, Aug. 26, 2022. Kuhn served 20 years in the Marine Corps and received multiple awards for dedicated service and outstanding leadership.

The enhanced Forward Presence Battlegroup Poland Romanian Army soldiers assigned to the Transylvania Gepards and Sky Guardian stand in formation during a Hand Over, Take Over ceremony in Bemowo Piskie, Poland, Oct. 18, 2022. The Romanian Army is proudly working alongside the 1st Infantry Division, NATO allies and regional security partners to provide combat-credible forces to V Corps, under America's forward deployed corps in Europe.

Switzerland's delegation to the Congress of the International Organization of Reserves stands at attention on the parade ground during opening ceremonies. Base: Fort Meade State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Military and civilian members attend the 502nd Air Base Wing change of command ceremony, May 3, 2022, Pfingston Basic Military Training Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. The 502d Air Base Wing is host to Joint Base San Antonio which unifies 11 geographically distinct locations including JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, JBSA-Lackland, JBSA-Randolph and JBSA-Camp Bullis.

U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Manuel Montenegro, Headquarters Battalion, Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC), showcases a historic Marine Corps uniform during the Marine Corps historical uniform pageant at MCAGCC, Twentynine Palms, California, Nov. 9, 2022. The event included a historical uniform pageant and the traditional cake cutting ceremony in honor of the 247th Marine Corps birthday.

1st Infantry Division's color guard stands at attention during the Charles Shay Indian Memorial ceremony at Saint Laurent Sur Mer, Omaha Beach, France, June 4, 2022. This year, U.S. Army Europe and Africa commemorates the 78th anniversary of D-Day, the largest multi-national amphibious landing and operational military airdrop in history, and highlights the U.S.' steadfast commitment to European allies and partners.

Changing of the honour guard at Anitkabir, the Mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk; Ankara, Turkey

Gen. David H. Berger, Commandant of the Marine Corps, makes remarks during a change of command ceremony, at Camp Lejeune, N.C., May 23, 2022. The change of command ceremony represents the transition of command and responsibility of MARSOC from Maj. Gen. James F. Glynn to Maj. Gen. Matthew G. Trollinger.

Changing of the guard of the princely guard at 12 o'clock in front of the princely palace, Principality of Monaco, Soldiers at a military ceremony in front of a palace on a sunny day, Monte Carlo, Cote d'Azur

An Air Cadet from the National Defense Academy of Japan touches the hood of a UH-1N Huey assigned to the 459th Airlift Squadron during an immersion tour at Yokota Air Base, Japan, July 26, 2022. While visiting Yokota, the students were able to experience U.S. Air Force aircraft up close and engage with U.S. Airmen.

Holocaust Memorial Day at Yad Vashem Jerusalem

DA-SC-86-08906. Base: Chunchon Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

010412-F-0848C-003. Subject Operation/Series: VALIANT RETURN Base: Hickam Air Force Base State: Hawaii (HI) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers conduct a Pass in Review at the Change of Command Ceremony. Base: Fort Clayton Country: Panama (PAN)

COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2000 - United Kingdom (UK) 'British' Army Soldiers assigned as Data Collectors gather for a group photo at Baumholder, Germany during Exercise COMBINED ENDEAVOR 2000..

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Norwegian Defense Minister Bjørn Arild Gram engage in a bilateral exchange at the Pentagon, Washington, D.C., Sept. 20, 2022.

Soldiers salute during the change of command ceremonies from Base Commander Colonel Paul P. Trahan to Colonel David M. Reed, conducted at the Residency Compound, Command Implementation Force (COMIFOR) Headquarters, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, during Operation JOINT ENDEAVOR. Subject Operation/Series: JOINT ENDEAVOR Base: Sarajevo Country: Bosnia And/I Herzegovina (BIH)

U.S. Army Col. Werner J. Barden, 519th Hospital Center commander addresses the audience during the 512th Field Hospital change of command ceremony, June 29, 2022 at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, Kaiserslautern, Germany. Lt. Col. William D. Spruill assumed command of the unit from Lt. Col. Julie A. Hundertmark.

030517-A-4487O-059. Base: Fort Buchanan, San Juan State: Puerto Rico (PR) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and 2nd Brigade Combat Team attend Holy Mass at the Sint Lambertus Church and a Memorial Service which included various orators, poetry, laying of wreaths, National anthems and a minute of silence on Sept. 11, 2022, at Veghel, Netherlands. They were able to reconnect with Dutch citizens and together they were able honor and remember the brave actions of the men that fought to liberate Holland from German occupation during World War II.

220705-N-ZW825-0200 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (July 5, 2022) Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) New Student Indoctrination (NSI) midshipman candidates take notes during a Warrior Toughness class at Recruit Training Command (RTC), July 5. Upon completion of NSI, the candidates will start their freshman year of the NROTC program at colleges and universities nationwide this fall. NSI is an indoctrination program hosted at RTC, and provides midshipmen with a common military training orientation. NSI provides basic training in five warfighting fundamentals - firefighting, damage control, seamanship, watchstanding and small arms handling and marksmanship - to begin creating basically trained and smartly disciplined future Navy and Marine Corps officers. NROTC is overseen by Commander, Naval Service Training Command (NSTC), Rear Adm. Jennifer S. Couture, which supports naval accessions training for 98 percent of the Navys new officers and enlisted Sailors.

A U.S. Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps drill team performs a drill routine for inspection during the 41st annual Cornell University Invitational Drill Competition, Ithaca, New York, Oct. 22, 2022. Over 300 Navy Midshipmen and military cadets from the East Coast competed. The competition includes close order drill and a wide spectrum of fitness challenges.

U.S. Army paratroopers with the 173rd Airborne Brigade participate in a ceremony honoring the fallen U.S. troops in Operation Overlord or D-Day at the Normandy American Cemetery in Coleville, France, May 29, 2022. On June 6, 1944, more than 150,000 soldiers from the Allied Forces stormed Normandy Beach in what is known as the largest seaborne invasion in history. Approximately 4,000 Soldiers lost their lives, and the battle changed the course of World War ll. The 173rd Airborne Brigade is the U.S. Army's Contingency Response Force in Europe, providing rapidly deployable forces to the United States European, African, and Central Command areas of responsibility. Forward deployed across Italy and Germany, the brigade routinely trains alongside NATO allies and partners to build partnerships and strengthen the alliance. (U.S. Army photograph by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)

U.S. Marines with 4th Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion of 4th Marine Division, Marine Forces Reserve stand in formation during a change of command ceremony in the 41 Area on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, California, July 16, 2022. The battalion consists of seven reserve companies across the U.S., with the headquarters located on Camp Pendleton.

Members of the color guard move July 14, 2022, during the Fort McCoy Garrison change-of-command ceremony at Fort McCoy, Wis. Col. Stephen T. Messenger received the garrison flag from Brenda McCullough, director of Installation Management Command-Readiness signifying Messenger as the new garrison commander. Messenger replaces Col. Michael D. Poss who became the garrison commander June 10, 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic in a virtual change-of-command ceremony. Poss moves on to serve in a position at the 88th Readiness Division also at Fort McCoy. Messenger arrives after serving in his prior assignment as the director of engineering and logistics, J4, Joint Task Force Civil Support, Fort Eustis, Va., which was on the front lines of the nations COVID response.

981010-M-0023H-001. Subject Operation/Series: DYNAMIC MIX '98 Base: Iskenderum Country: Turkey (TUR)

New blue police uniforms worn by 1400 male and female North Rhine-Westphalian police officers, Duesseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, Europe

DA-SC-89-07802. Base: Fort Ritchie State: Maryland (MD) Country: United States Of America (USA)

3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Soldiers perform Twilight Tattoo for service member's friends and family, on Summerall Field, Joint Base Myer Henderson-Hall, Va., April 27, 2022. This performance is the final rehearsal of the hour-long pageant to showcase the rich history of the U.S. Army.

Changing of the guard, royal guard at Drottningholm Palace, Lovoen, Stockholm County, Sweden, Europe

A U.S. Army color guard from Fort Carson, Colo., display service flags from each military branch during the opening ceremony for the inaugural Warrior Games at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 10. More than 500 guests attended the opening ceremony that featured remarks from Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter and other political and military figures. The Warrior Games are offering more than 200 wounded, injured and ill service members from each military branch an opportunity to compete against one another in a variety of Olympic-style events. The games are being held at the U.S. Olympic Training Center and U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, May 10-14.

RIO DE JANEIRO (Sept. 22, 2022) Senior leaders from 19 nations stand across from their troops during the UNITAS LXIII Closing Ceremony, Sept. 22, 2022. Hosted this year by Brazil, it brings together multinational forces from Belize, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Guyana, Jamaica, Mexico, Namibia, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, South Korea, Spain, United Kingdom, Uruguay, and the United States conducting operations in and off the coast of Rio de Janeiro. The exercise trains forces to conduct joint maritime operations through the execution of anti-surface, anti-submarine, anti-air, amphibious and electronic warfare operations that enhance warfighting proficiency and increase interoperability among participating naval and marine forces.

Members of the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany join together in a world-wide three minute moment of silence on September 14, 2001, for the victims and the families of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Shortly after 8 AM on September 11, 2001 in an attempt to frighten the American people, terrorist mounted attacks on the World Trade Centers Twin Towers in New York and at the Pentagon. Hijackers deliberately flew civilian airliners into the ildings, on the morning of 11 September 2001, killing themselves, the passengers and thousands on the ground. The base is in Force Protection Condition Charlie (FP CON Charlie) with barriers preventing ready access to critical.... Members of the 86th Airlift Wing, Ramstein Air Base, Germany join together in a world-wide three minute moment of silence on September 14, 2001, for the victims and the families of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Shortly after 8 AM on September 11, 2001 in an attempt to frighten the Americ

Idaho Governor Brad Little, military members, veterans and residents of the Treasure Valley community gather at Idaho State Veterans Cemetery for a Memorial Day ceremony, May 30, 2022, Boise, Idaho. The ceremony included guest speakers, a 21-gun salute and firing of American Civil War cannons.

Troopers assigned to 1-12 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division participated in a WWII Commemoration Wreath Laying Ceremony at Drawsko Pomorskie Municiple Cemetery in Drawsko Pomorskie, Poland Sept. 1, 2022. Participating in events like these promote partnership between U.S. and Polish forces and the civilian population.

GEN. Michael Roquijedffre of France and GEN. Jaber Khalid Al Sabon of Kuwait take part in a beach reopening ceremony in Kuwait City. Roquijedffre's troops cleared the beach during Operation Desert Storm. Subject Operation/Series: DESERT STORM Base: Kuwait City Country: Kuwait(KWT)

Capt. Wayne Liebold, commanding officer of amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2), speaks to Essex Sailors during an all hands call on the flight deck in San Diego, Jan. 30, 2024. Essex is homeported in San Diego, conducting a maintenance period to upgrade and refurbish many key systems aboard.

220801-M-TN173-2200 MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, Hawaii (Aug. 1, 2022) Multinational partner service members from Australia, Indonesia, Mexico, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Tonga and Malaysia, pose for a group photo following a gift exchange during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. Twenty-six nations, 38 ships, three submarines, more than 170 aircraft and 25,000 personnel are participating in RIMPAC 2022 from June 29 to Aug. 4 in and around the Hawaiian Islands and Southern California. The worlds largest international maritime exercise, RIMPAC 2022 provides a unique training opportunity while fostering and sustaining cooperative relationships among participants critical to ensuring the safety of sea lanes and security on the worlds oceans. RIMPAC 2022 is the 28th exercise in the series that began in 1971.

ARABIAN GULF (Dec. 27, 2013) Medal of Honor recipient Dakota Meyer delivers remarks to Sailors and Marines during an all-hands call on the flight deck aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Boxer (LHD 4). Boxer is the flagship for the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group and, with the embarked 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit, is deployed in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility.

COL. Richard B. Thomas, commander, Theater Support Brigade, prepares to cut the ribbon that will inaugurate the University Center. Base: Corozal Country: Panama (PAN)

Madrid, 01/06/2019. Military Easter in the royal palace with Their Majesties King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Photo: Maya Balanya Archdc.

119th Fighter Wing members await the start of the change of command ceremony in Fargo, North Dakota, where Colonel Lyle Andvik will assume command of the North Dakota Air National Guard. The ceremony was attended many dignitaries, including Charles Cragin, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs; Major General Keith Bjerke, North Dakota Adjutant General and Brigadier General Craig McKinley, Air National Guard Deputy Director. Base: Fargo State: North Dakota (ND) Country: United States Of America (USA)

000913-A-4543J-004. Base: Dabudong State: Waegwan Country: Republic Of Korea (KOR)

Changing the Guard at the Castle in Prague

Brig. Gen. Ann Dunwoody passes the guidon of the 1st Corps Support Command change of command at Fort Bragg, N.C. Lt. Gen. Ann Dunwoody was confirmed by Congress July 23 for her fourth star, making her the first female four-star general in the U.S. Armed Forces. She will be assigned as the U.S. Army Materiel Command commanding general.

U.S. Marines with 1st Marine Division and Republic of Korea marines with 1st Marine Division, ROK Marine Corps, participate in a combined evening colors ceremony during Freedom Shield 24 in Pohang, South Korea, Feb. 29, 2024. Freedom Shield 24 is a defense-oriented exercise designed to strengthen the ROK-U.S. Alliance, enhance the combined defense posture, and further strengthen security and stability on the Korean peninsula. Marine Corps

SLUPSK, Poland (Nov. 1, 2019) Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Adam Gadacz , right, and Master-at-Arms Seaman Apprentice Paul McAteer, back left, assigned to Naval Support Facility Redzikowo (NSFR) participate in a Polish tradition of standing watch over two American gravesites in Slupsk, Poland on All Saints Day, Friday, Nov. 1, 2019. The Sailors are representing the U.S. Navy and personnel assigned to the base, which will be home to the new Aegis Ashore Missile Defense System (AAMDS) located in Redzikowo, Poland.

U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton lays a wreath at Katyn Cross Memorial to pay tribute to President Lech Kaczynski, the First Lady and the other 94 men and women who perished in the plane crash on April 10, 2010, in Smolensk en route to commemoration of the 70th anniversary of the 1940 Katyn massacre in Krakow, Poland, on July 3, 2010.

020701-F-1631A-010. Base: Aviano Air Base State: Pordenone Country: Italy (ITA)

U.S. Army senior leaders pose for a photo in front of the World War I and II monuments, June 4, 2022, during the 4 Braves 78th Commemoration Ceremony, at Monument des 4 Braves, Periers, Normandie, France. The WWI and WWII memorial monuments list fallen Soldiers.

Army soldiers of the Staff Music Corps recorded during a state visit by Ferdinand Marcos Jr. (not pictured), President of the Republic of the Philippines to Olaf Scholz (not pictured), Federal Chancellor, recorded in Berlin, 12 March 2024

U.S. Marines assigned to the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, Task Force Los Angeles, cross the finish line of the Rick Crocker memorial 5k at Santa Monica, California, during Los Angeles Fleet Week, May 26, 2022. Ricardo Crocker was a 10 year veteran of the Santa Monica Police Department and a Marine Corps Reserve Major who was killed in action in Iraq, 2005. The purpose of Fleet Week is to showcase the capabilities of the Navy-Marine Corps team and give back to the community with events, static displays, and personal interactions between service members and the public.

US Air Force Colonel Davis Snyder, Commander 14th Operations Group, Columbus AFB, Mississippi passes the 41srt Flying Training Squadron Colors, to the newly appointed Commander, USAF Lieutenant Colonel Susan C. Ross, during a Change of Command Ceremony held at Columbus AFB, Mississippi. Base: Columbus Air Force Base State: Mississippi (MS) Country: United States Of America (USA)

Soldiers guarding the Greek Parliament.

Memorial Service on Remembrance Sunday in East Grinstead

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