VICENZA, Italy -- Brig. Gen. Aida T. Borras, the U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa deputy commanding general, traveled to the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial in Carthage, Tunisia, to participate in a Memorial Day ceremony, held May 31, to honor fallen and missing U.S. service members.
During the ceremony, Borras, along with U.S. Ambassador to Tunisia Donald Blome, laid a wreath to honor the more than 2,800 U.S. service members who were laid to rest in the cemetery and more than 3,700 whose names are engraved on the Wall of the Missing. Most of those honored at the 27-acre cemetery participated in World War II military activities from North Africa to the Persian Gulf. The North African campaign concluded May 13, 1943, and was the first decisive Allied victory of WWII, setting the stage for the campaign in Europe.
After the wreath-laying, Borras addressed the participants, sharing the individual stories and contributions of five of the fallen or missing service members.
“These brave men and women all answered our nation’s call to service during a time of great uncertainty and global conflict,” she said. “They died in support of WWII operations that were instrumental in liberating North Africa and Europe … Their cause, the cause of freedom, does live on. And we do remember their sacrifices with gratitude.”
In his remarks, Blome stated that strengthening our relationships with partners like Tunisia honors the sacrifices the fallen made to ensure future peace.
“As we observe Memorial Day at the only American military cemetery on the African continent, we remember that our freedom and prosperity is only secure if it is collective and if it is global,” he said. “At the end of the day, the soldiers of both our armed forces are fighting to protect the same peace.”
