Upon arrival to his post, U.S. Ambassador to France Charles Kushner and his wife Seryl paid their respects July 10 to the more than 2,500 men and women from World War I and World War II buried or commemorated at Suresnes American Cemetery.

Upon arrival, Kushner was welcomed by American Battle Monuments Commission Executive Director for Operations Thomas Spoehr. During the visit, the ambassador was given a guided tour of the cemetery by Suresnes American Cemetery Superintendent Carly Mathieu. The tour included general information on the site, the visit of the chapel and the story of Pvt. Reuben Lippman.

Kushner also took the time to meet with members of the American Battle Monuments Commission staff, commending their dedication to their mission: preserving the memory of America’s fallen abroad.

The event concluded with Spoehr presenting the Kushners with an ABMC passport to document their visits to ABMC sites across France.

The visit underscored the enduring relationship between the U.S. and France as well as the shared sacrifices of the two nations in times of war. Suresnes American Cemetery serves as a reminder of the cost of freedom and illustrates the deep historical ties between the U.S. and France forged through mutual respect and shared values.

The American Battle Monuments Commission sites are a constant reminder of Gen. John J. Pershing’s promise that, “time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”