A group of Belgian officials came to Arlington National Cemetery on Sept. 16, 2024, to honor the fallen from World War I. They included Defense Attaché to the Embassy of Belgium Brig. Gen. Bart Verbist; Director of the Ypres Last Post Association Carl Denys; and two Belgian Army buglers, Cpl. Tonny Desodt and Adjutant Christophe Wils. The Doughboy Foundation, which has an exchange program with Belgium, hosted the group—most of whom were in Washington, D.C., for the unveiling of a new sculpture at the World War I Memorial. Doughboy Foundation Director Jari Villanueva gave his guests a tour of the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room, which features exhibits on the history of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and its origins during World War I.
After laying a wreath filled with yellow and red flowers (two colors from Belgium’s flag), guests reflected on U.S. service members who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. Brig. Gen. Verbist stated, “We still owe it to the United States of America, among other allies, who come to support Europe and to make sure that liberty, democracy and our freedom can survive.” Carl Denys remarked that The Last Post Association was formed to ensure that the American sacrifice in World War I would never be forgotten. “They fought for their country and for our freedom,” he said.
The group then laid wreaths at the Argonne Cross in Section 18, a monument that commemorates the American Expeditionary Forces’ (AEF) last major World War I campaign. There, the two Belgian Army buglers played the “British Last Post,” a traditional final salute to British and Allied service members who fell in the Battle of Ypres, along with “The British Rouse” (also known as “Reveille”). U.S. Army Sgt. 1st Class Kevin Paul contributed by sounding Taps on Gen. John J. Pershing’s personal clarion bugle, which the general obtained in 1918 when he commanded the AEF.
Both Belgian buglers appreciated playing their instruments in the cemetery. “It is really important that we met our colleagues over here and had the privilege to be part of these ceremonies,” Cpl. Desodt said. Adjutant Wils agreed, stating that it was “very special” to see the cemetery and the United States. “It was an honor to be able to sound ‘The Last Post’ here,” he said.
