More than 100 Sailors from Commander, Task Force (CTF) 73 and Navy Region Singapore commemorated Memorial Day by touring two of Singapore's WWII heritage sites - Changi Prison Museum and Kranji War Cemetery, May 26.

Changi Prison Museum is dedicated to prisoners of war who were interned in Singapore during WWII. Kranji War Cemetery is the final resting place of 4,500 Commonwealth soldiers while a monument represents an additional 24,000 service members whose remains were never found.

While every Memorial Day is a solemn occasion, 2015 marks the 150th anniversary of the end of the Civil War, the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, the 65th anniversary of the start of the Korean War, the 40th anniversary of the U.S. departure from Vietnam, and the 25th anniversary of Operation Desert Shield in the lead-up to the Gulf War.

CTF 73 Commander, Rear Adm. Charlie Williams led the progression of Sailors through the museum and cemetery. He noted that although the U.S. Sailors served abroad far away from American shores, "it's particularly meaningful to commemorate Memorial Day in Singapore and in a region where many of these wars occurred and one that has observed a lasting peace."

During the tour of the Changi Museum, Sailors observed letters, drawings, photographs and personal affects that chronicled stories of prisoners of war and civilian internees.

"We started this museum so that my country's people would never forget the sacrifices of their military armed forces during times of war," said Jeya Ayadurai, director of the Changi Museum.

Ayadurai spoke of Singapore's strategic location within the Asia Pacific region and the importance of sustaining U.S. access to facilities in Singapore between the Indian Ocean and South China Sea.

"We decided that the United States was a greater force for good, that it was an advocate to the contribution of peace, and that the region could not suffer the absence of the United States and its Navy," said Ayadurai.

After visiting the museum, the Sailors traveled to the Kranji Memorial Cemetery to pay homage to allies and partners who lost their lives during WWII by presenting wreaths alongside military representatives from New Zealand.

In the United States, Memorial Day is celebrated annually at Arlington National Cemetery, a tradition since 1868. A small American flag is placed on each grave, while the President or Vice President lays a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

"Like Arlington, the Kranji War Memorial is sacred ground -- nearly 4,500 Commonwealth soldiers who fought in WWII are entombed here. Today is about remembering those who perished in those wars," said Williams.