The monuments and memorials on the National Mall are open to the public 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
WASHINGTON — Monday, May 27 marks Memorial Day this year, a day about mourning the nation's fallen service members. Many people spend the day, as well as the long weekend, reflecting and remembering those who died while serving in the U.S. military.
In the nation's capital, especially on the National Mall, many people will gather to pay their respects at many of the monuments and memorials which honors the nation's heroes.
Here's a list of happenings this holiday weekend:
Saturday, May 25
- 20th Anniversary of World War II Memorial and Memorial Day Observance at 10 a.m.
- The National Park Service and the Friends of the National World War II Memorial will commemorate two decades since the dedication of the World War II Memorial and pay tribute to the more than 400,000 Americans who lost their lives during World War II. Wreaths will be laid at the Freedom Wall by veterans and other dignitaries. The ceremony is free, but requires advance registration. It will also be streamed live to the Friends' Facebook page.
Sunday, May 26
- National Memorial Day Concert at 8 p.m.
- The concert will feature musical performances and tributes from acts such as Cynthia Erivo and Gary LeVox. The 90-minute broadcast of the 35th annual event is free for the public to attend. It will be held on the West Lawn of the United States Capitol and will also air on PBS and stream on YouTube.
Monday, May 27
- Wreath Laying Ceremonies:
- Vietnam Women's Memorial at 10 a.m.
- The ongoing series “Vietnam: In Their Own Words - Story Telling at the Vietnam Women’s Memorial,” continues on Memorial Day with remembrances shared by Vietnam veterans.
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 1 p.m.
- The annual ceremony is co-hosted yearly by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service to pay tribute to members of the armed forces who sacrificed in Vietnam and in all conflicts. Featured speakers include Vietnam veterans Frederick W. Smith, Founder and Executive Chairman of FedEx Corporation; Major General Donna Barbisch, USA (Ret.); and Lieutenant Commander Michael Petersen, USN (Ret.)
- It is free to the public. For those who cannot attend in person, the event will be broadcast on https://www.vvmf.org/live and VVMF’s Facebook page.
- United States Navy Memorial at 1:30 p.m.
- The Navy Memorial will host a wreath laying ceremony in honor and memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service. This event will feature the U.S. Navy Band and U.S. Navy Ceremonial Guard. The ceremony will be live streamed on the Navy Memorial website. The U.S. Navy Memorial is located at 701 Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
- Korean War Veterans Memorial at 4:15 p.m.
- The Korean War Veterans Memorial Foundation will host a ceremony and wreath presentation at the memorial, to honor all who served and made the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony is free and open to the public, but advance registration is requested. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on the foundation’s Facebook page.
- Vietnam Women's Memorial at 10 a.m.
- National Memorial Day Parade at 2 p.m.
- Hosted by Anthony Anderson and Drew Carey, the parade is the nation’s largest Memorial Day salute to the men and women who have sacrificed for our country. The parade will travel Constitution Avenue NW between 7th Street and 17th Street.
- "Taps"Across the National Mall at 5 p.m.
- "Taps" will be played at 11 memorials and sites of future memorials that honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the U.S. Visitors on the National Mall at that time are invited to pause and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. Sites at which Tapswill be played include:
- African American Civil War Memorial
- American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial
- D.C. War Memorial
- Desert Shield and Desert Storm Memorial (future site)
- Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
- Global War on Terrorism Memorial (future site)
- Korean War Veterans Memorial
- Vietnam Veterans Memorial
- World War I Memorial
- World War II Memorial
- United States Navy Memorial
- "Taps" will be played at 11 memorials and sites of future memorials that honor those who have made the supreme sacrifice in the service of the U.S. Visitors on the National Mall at that time are invited to pause and reflect on the meaning of Memorial Day. Sites at which Tapswill be played include:
- TSA expects busiest travel season ever
- Beach forecast: Tracking Memorial Day weekend showers and storms
- Hundreds of motorcyclists travel across the country to DC in honor of veterans
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