US Marines' bravery celebrated 100 years after French battle

By Associated Press

Sunday, May 27, 2018 6:05 AM

BELLEAU, France (AP) High-ranking military officials from the U.S., France and Germany have taken part in Memorial Day ceremonies at an American cemetery in northern France to mark the centennial of the battle of Belleau Wood, a turning point in World War I and a founding event for the Marine Corps.

The ceremony at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in the village of Belleau on Sunday included speeches by military officials, including Gen. Robert Neller, commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, prayers, wreath laying, reading of poems and the national anthems of the three countries.

A crowd of more than 5,000 attended the event celebrating the fierce and deadly monthlong battle considered as the first major engagement of U.S. troops in the war, especially Marines whose bravery helped the Allied Forces win in Belleau.

US Marines' bravery celebrated 100 years after French battle

U.S. Marine Corps soldiers stand beneath the U.S. flag during a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps soldier stands next to a headstone as he attends a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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People attend a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps detail fires a volley during a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps detail marches during a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marines walk through the battlefield of Belleau Wood prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. The cemetery contains more that 2,000 American dead. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Darrell Carver, based in North Carolina, walks through the headstones prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. The cemetery contains more that 2,000 American dead. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant Major Darrell Carver, based in North Carolina, touches a headstone as he walks prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. The cemetery contains more that 2,000 American dead. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps soldier walks with a small girl through headstones prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. The cemetery contains more that 2,000 American dead. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marines march through the battlefield of Belleau Wood prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. The cemetery contains more that 2,000 American dead. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marine Corps soldiers participate in a commemoration at the American Marine Memorial at Belleau Wood prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps soldier, left, helps another adjust his tunic as they participate in a commemoration at the American Marine Memorial in Belleau Wood prior to a service at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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Military representatives from the United States, France and Germany place wreaths at the American Marine Memorial in Belleau Wood prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps soldier visits graves prior to a Memorial Day commemoration at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. The cemetery contains more that 2,000 American dead and is located in front of the battlefield of Belleau Wood. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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A U.S. Marine Corps officer, right, helps an enlisted soldier adjust his tunic as they participate in a commemoration at the American Marine Memorial in Belleau Wood prior to a service at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marines participate in a commemoration at the American Marine Memorial in Belleau Wood prior to a service at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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U.S. Marines salute as they participate in a commemoration at the American Marine Memorial in Belleau Wood prior to a service at the Aisne-Marne American Cemetery in Belleau, France, Sunday, May 27, 2018. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

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