Queen Mary 2 Arrives in New York City with the Eternal Flame, Honoring the 80th Anniversary of D-Day
Valencia, Calif., May 23, 2024 – Cunard’s flagship, Queen Mary 2, made a significant arrival in New York today, carrying the Eternal Flame after a seven-day North Atlantic Crossing. The commemorative ceremony held onboard by the Consulate General of France, La Flamme de la Liberté, and Cunard paid tribute to the WWII Normandy Landings of 1944, marking the 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
Key attendees at the ceremony included Mr. Laurent Bili, Ambassador of France to the United States; Mr. Damien Laban, Acting Consul General of France in New York; Mr. Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner for International Affairs, City of New York; Queen Mary 2 Captain Andrew Hall; General Patton’s granddaughter, Helen Ayer-Patton; and WWII veterans from The Greatest Generations Foundation.
The Eternal Flame, which has been burning since November 11, 1923, on the tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe, was collected on May 8. A group of 12 young French ambassadors then carried the flame from Paris to Cherbourg, crossing the English Channel to Portsmouth, before boarding Queen Mary 2 in Southampton for its transatlantic journey to New York. The flame will then be escorted to Arlington Cemetery for an official ceremony on May 24, where it will burn until June 6, 2024.
Captain Andrew Hall of Queen Mary 2 expressed his honor at being part of such a significant historic occasion, emphasizing how the ship’s involvement celebrated the men and women who served during D-Day. He highlighted the role Cunard ships played in transporting hundreds of thousands across the Atlantic during that time.
For more information about Cunard or to book a voyage, individuals can contact their Travel Advisor, call Cunard at 1-800-728-6273, or visit www.cunard.com. Travel Advisors seeking further information can contact their Business Development Manager, visit OneSourceCruises.com, or call Cunard at 1-800-528-6273.
About Cunard:
Cunard is a luxury British cruise line known for creating unforgettable experiences worldwide. With a history dating back to 1840, Cunard offers a premium experience based on fine dining, hand-selected entertainment, and exceptional White Star service. Serving various destinations around the world, including Europe, the Caribbean, Alaska, the Far East, and Australia, Cunard currently operates four ships, Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth, Queen Victoria, and the new ship, Queen Anne, which entered service in May 2024.
Contact:
Jackie Chase, Cunard, [email protected]
Cindy Adams, MGA Media Group, [email protected]
Source: Cunard
