New York Welcomes the Eternal Flame Aboard Cunard’s Queen Mary 2

In a poignant tribute to the heroes of the Second World War, the iconic Queen Mary 2 sailed into New York Harbor last Thursday, bearing the Eternal Flame—a symbol of remembrance and enduring peace. The flame’s arrival marked the culmination of a seven-day transatlantic journey that retraced the wartime crossings made by Cunard ships.

Aboard the vessel, a solemn ceremony unfolded, orchestrated by the Consulate General of France, La Flamme de la Liberté organisation, and Cunard Line. This event paid homage to the valorous Normandy Landings of 1944, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of D-Day.

Distinguished guests graced the occasion, including Mr Laurent Bili, the French Ambassador to the United States; Mr Damien Laban, Acting Consul General of France in New York; Mr Edward Mermelstein, Commissioner for International Affairs of New York City; and Captain Andrew Hall of the Queen Mary 2. Notably, Helen Ayer-Patton, the granddaughter of General Patton, and several World War II veterans from The Greatest Generations Foundation were also in attendance.

The Eternal Flame, a symbol of eternal remembrance and peace, has been burning since 11 November 1923 at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath Paris’s Arc de Triomphe. On 8 May, it embarked on a symbolic journey. Guided by twelve young French ambassadors, the flame traversed from Paris to Cherbourg, then across the English Channel to Portsmouth—a pivotal site for the D-Day invasion forces. From there, it sailed to Southampton, where it boarded the Queen Mary 2 for its historic transatlantic passage.

Upon reaching New York, the flame will continue its journey, escorted by the ambassadors to Arlington Cemetery. In a special ceremony on 24 May, it was placed in a prominent location, where it will burn until 6 June 2024, in honour of the D-Day landings. It will serve as a beacon of the sacrifices made and a reminder of the peace that generations have strived to maintain since those fateful days in 1944.

Captain Andrew Hall, the commander of the Queen Mary 2, expressed his deep honor at the ship’s involvement in this historic event, stating, “Today will truly be remembered as an important part of Cunard’s long and storied history,” acknowledging the pivotal role Cunard ships, including the Queen Mary 2, played in transporting countless soldiers across the Atlantic during the war.

As the Eternal Flame burns at Arlington Cemetery, it serves as a beacon of the sacrifices made and a reminder of the peace that generations have strived to maintain since those fateful days in 1944.