RAF Mildenhall calls for Madingley volunteers

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Christopher L. Ingersoll
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Every Memorial Day since 1944 the U.S. Air Force has gathered at Madingley American Cemetery to honor those who've died in battle, and once again volunteers are needed to continue the tradition.

"We need about 275 volunteers," said 1st Lieutenant Steven Brenoskie, 100th Security Forces Squadron. "There will be two or three practices before the dress rehearsal May 28 at the cemetery with the event occurring May 31."

The event brings into focus more than 60 years of Air Force bravery in combat and is rich in tradition.

"More than half of the those buried in Madingley are aviators who lost their lives in crashes over England or died of wounds sustained in combat, and more than half of those on the wall of the missing are aviators who lost their lives in air battles over the continent," said Dave Bedford, Madingley Cemetery superintendant. "We quote numbers, think of the numbers and remember dates but for each name on the wall or headstone there was a mother, father, sister or brother that grieved the loss of their loved one's life."

Mr. Bedford encourages families to get involved and attend the event.

"Please come to Madingley and commemorate American history and a continuation of your Air Force heritage," he said. "Then go home and think of those veterans as you celebrate with a picnic or whatever your liberty gives you on that day."

Wreath bearers, ushers and a number of other positions are needed to continue this unbroken 66-year-long tradition.

To volunteer, contact your unit point of contact or 1st Lieutenant Steven Brenoskie, DSN 238-3538.