Memorial Day 2006

AMERICAN MEMORIAL DAY Madingley American Cemetery, Cambridge, UK On Monday 29^th May 2006 a delegation from the First Allied Airborne Association attended the American Memorial Day at the Madingley American War Cemetery in Cambridge. On the day the Association had the honour of laying a wreath on behalf of the 17^th Airborne Division Association. It should be noted that this year, 2006, marks the end of the 17^th Airborne Division Association but certainly not the laying of a wreath on behalf of this famous WWII Airborne Division. Attending the event were myself, Tim Parker, Simon Harrison, Tony Sturgess and our good buddy, Frank Summerville, from the Twinwood National Fire Service, who laid a wreath on behalf of Major Glenn Miller who went missing over the channel in December 1944. Throughout the day it was a typical May in England – it rained! However, prior to the ceremony starting, the laying of wreaths and the flypast of the Spitfire and the B17 Memphis Belle, the sun came out and spirits were raised. On invitation from the American Embassy, the delegation attended a Buffet lunch after the service, which gave us a period of rest before a short walk around the cemetery, where we stopped to pay our individual respects at the graves of the 17^th Airborne Troopers who did not return home after WWII. We also stopped for a moment at the two graves of the 505^th men who lost their lives prior to take-off on D-Day, June 5^th 1944. The cemetery at Madingley is immaculately kept throughout the year. However, this year, the memorial and cemetery looked even more splendid, with miniatures of the American and British national flags placed on each grave. The whole day was well planned, well attended, well executed and will be remembered by all those who attended for a very long time. The 2007 Memorial Day will coincide with a major event that the First Allied Airborne Association is organising and taking part in. A special Service of Remembrance will be organised, to coincide with the one held at Madingley. The whole weekend will be dedicated to those American servicemen who were unable to return home. Lee M. Bowden First Sergeant and Group Coordinator, FAAA
First Allied Airborne Association delegation lay a floral tribute on behalf of the 17th Airborne Association	FAAA and 17th Airborne Division Floral tribute, presented in the colours of the "Golden Talon" Division
FAAA Delegation lay a flower tribute on the grave of 505th Parachute Infantry Casualty PFC Robert L Leakey who was killed at Spanhoe Airfield in the Grenade accident while boarding the Aircraft for the Normandy Drop	US Air Force wreath orderlies, take post!
Missing Man Formation	This aircraft needs no introduction
May they all rest in peace