DC Memorial Day events honor those who gave their lives
Many events in Washington, D.C. will honor those who gave their lives serving in the country's armed forces.
Here is a list of some of the events and a list of streets closures associated with the Memorial Day Parade.
SCHEDULED STREET CLOSURES NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
On Monday, May 25, 2015, the National Memorial Day Parade will start at 2 pm. The streets along the following route will be closed from 9 am until 4 pm.
• Staging Area 7th Street, NW between Constitution Avenue & Independence Avenue, SW
• Parade Area Constitution Avenue between 7th Street & 19th Street, NW
• Dispersal Area Virginia Avenue between Constitution Avenue & 22nd Street, NW
Motorists could encounter possible delays if operating in the vicinity of this event and may wish to consider alternative routes. The Metropolitan Police Department and the DC Department of Transportation also wish to remind motorists in the vicinity of this event to proceed with caution as increased pedestrian traffic can be anticipated. All street closures and listed times are subject to change based upon prevailing or unexpected conditions. http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/parade/ | http://mpdc.dc.gov/release/scheduled-street-closures-national-memorial-day-parade
ALL DAY EVENTS
May 22 - 25. PENTAGON - TAPS -- The 21st Annual TAPS National Military Survivor Seminar and Good Grief Camp for Young Survivors.
Notes: http://www.taps.org/National/2015/GGCMentorRequirements/
May 22 - 25. ROLLING THUNDER WEEKEND EVENTS -- Weekend long events for the Annual Rolling Thunder. www.http://rollingthunderrun.com/RunInfo
May 23 - 25. IAVA - MEMORIAL DAY - TRUE MEANING -- Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), a leading post-9/11 veteran empowerment organization (VEO), will host and participate in a series of events to honor the nation's fallen with their GoSilent campaign. IAVA staff and members will participate in wreath-laying events at Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. and at the Intrepid Sea, Air and Space Museum in New York City. In Washington, DC - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. For more information: http://bit.ly/1R3ZuKW
May 24 - 25. MEMORIAL DAY FLOWERS FOUNDATION - ARLINGTON CEMETERY -- The Memorial Day Flowers Foundation is bringing 120,000 roses to Arlington National Cemetery over Memorial Day Weekend to honor fallen troops. There is an opportunity to get photos and footage on Sunday, May 24th when 200 volunteers from DC-area Boy Scout troops and volunteers are in the cemetery from 12pm-3pm placing "tens of thousands" of flowers on the headstones the day before Memorial Day. Flower growers from Ecuador, Colombia, and the United States donate flowers for this event. www.memorialdayflowers.org
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MORNING EVENTS
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY - MEDIA EVENTS -- Department of Defense Recognition and Commemoration of the Fallen Men and Women of the U.S. Armed Forces - 148th National Memorial Day Observance.
9 a.m. AIR FORCE MEMORIAL - WREATH LAYING -- The Air Force Association (AFA) and the Air Force Sergeants Association (AFSA) invite the public to join their commemorative Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremony. www.airforcememorial.org
11 a.m. ANTI-WAR VETERANS -- Iraq Veterans Against the War and Vietnam Veterans Against the War hold press conference. Speakers include: Iraq Veterans Against the war veterans Edgar Gonzalez-Baeza and Skippy N; Vietnam Veterans Against the War leader Barry Romo; Veterans counselor Hans Buwalda; Somali veteran and VVAW member Cesar Ruvalcaba; Jean Douglas, head of the Oak Park vets center; Aldelena Marshall, head of National Nurses United at Jesse Brown VA.; VVAW National Coordinator Joe Miller, who will MC.
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AFTERNOON EVENTS
1 p.m. VIETNAM MEDAL OF HONOR FOREVER STAMPS -- Vietnam Medal of Honor Recipients to Dedicate Stamps on Memorial Day with First-Day-of-Issue Stamp Dedication Ceremony. Limited-Edition Vietnam Medal of Honor Forever stamps. Participants include: USA (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient Gary Beikirch, citation, video of Rochester, NY; USA (Ret.), Medal of Honor recipient Colonel Jack Jacobs, citation, video; Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Founder & President Jan C. Scruggs; Vietnam Womens Memorial Foundation Founder and President Diane Carlson Evans; Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund CEO Jim Knotts; Acting Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Parks Sean Kennealy; U.S. Postal Service COO and Executive Vice President David E. Williams. Other Medal of Honor Recipients scheduled to attend: Command Sergeant Major Bennie Adkins, USA (Ret.) citation, video of Opelika, AL; Major General Patrick Brady, USA (Ret.), citation, video of New Braunfels, TX; Captain Thomas Kelley, USN (Ret.), citation, video of Somerville, MA; Lt. Colonel James Sprayberry, USA (Ret.), citation of Madison, AL; Sergeant Major Kenneth Stumpf, USA (Ret.), citation, video of Tomah, WI; Ft. Lieutenant USA Brian Thacker, USA (Ret.), citation, video of Wheaton, MD; Colonel Leo Thorsness, USAF (Ret.), citation, video of Madison, AL; Spec. 4th Class Gary Wetzel, USA (Ret.), citation, video of Oak Creek, WI.
Location: Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall, 5 Henry Bacon Dr., NW (by 22nd and Constitution). www.usps.com/news
2 p.m. NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE -- National Memorial Day Parade - Marching bands and veterans' units from all 50 states. Begins at the corner of Constitution Avenue and Seventh Street Northwest. http://www.americanveteranscenter.org/parade/
3 p.m. NATIONAL MOMENT OF REMEMBRANCE -- The National Moment of Remembrance "encourages all Americans to pause wherever they are at 3p.m. local time on Memorial Day for one minute of silence to remember and honor those who have died in service to the U.S." http://www.usafederalholidays.com/memorial--day.html
4 p.m. WOMEN'S MEMORIAL 18TH ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY -- The Womens Memorial 18th annual Memorial Day ceremony with formal military honors, a keynote address, wreath-layings and the Memorials signature event, the scattering of rose petals in tribute to departed comrades. In recognition of the 40th anniversary of the fall of Saigon, the program will pay particular tribute to the women who served in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia Theater of Operation, as well as those who served during the Vietnam era. Keynote speaker: Vietnam veteran Diane Carlson Evans, a former Army nurse and founder of the Vietnam Womens Memorial. http://www.womensmemorial.org/About/welcome.html