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National Memorial Day Observance To Honor America's Fallen Service Members

5/29/2011

The annual National Memorial Day Observance to honor America’s fallen military service members is scheduled for Monday, May 30 at Arlington National Cemetery.

The U.S. Army Military District of Washington will conduct an Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath-Laying Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Tomb of the Unknowns, to be followed by an observance program hosted by the Department of Defense in Arlington’s Memorial Amphitheater. A prelude by the U.S. Marine Band will begin in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.

Both the wreath-laying ceremony and the observance program are free and open to the general public. No tickets are needed to attend these events. Space is limited to standing room only for the wreath-laying ceremony and seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis in the amphitheater. Attendees are encouraged to be at the Tomb of the Unknowns or seated in the amphitheater by 9:30 a.m.

Free parking is available for vehicles in the Arlington National Cemetery Visitor’s Center parking lot from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. A free shuttle service will provide transportation to Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. Walking to the amphitheater is prohibited. After the observance is over, shuttles will provide transportation back to the visitor’s center until 1 p.m.

Attendees will be required to pass through a security checkpoint to gain access to the ceremony. Prohibited items include: large bags or backpacks, firearms and weapons of any type, laser pointers, aerosol containers, soda cans, umbrellas, coolers, picnic baskets, bottled water, tripods, lighters, personal protection sprays, and insulated beverage containers.

NOTE: DoD identification card holders will not be permitted to walk from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall into the cemetery. Instead, they must park on post and board a free shuttle bus at the Fort Myer Memorial Chapel. The shuttle service is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m.

For additional details, call the Public Affairs Office for the U.S. Army Military District of Washington at 202-685-4645.

SATURDAY, 28 MAY

11:15 AM – Run for the Wall Motorcycle Group, Public Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

12:00 PM – Vietnam Era-Intertribal Association Pipe Ceremony, Inter-Tribal Association Memorial Tree, Section 8 (Near Intersection of Patton and Eisenhower Drives)

2:00 PM – Rolling Thunder Desert One Memorial Group Wreath Laying, Section 46, Grave 1129-3, Grave of Richard Bakke, Harold Lewis, Jr., and Joel Mayo.

SUNDAY, 29 MAY

9:00 AM – Japanese American Citizens League, Memorial Service in Columbarium Shelter

10:00 AM – Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Ceremony at the President Kennedy Gravesite (Birthday Anniversary Wreath Laying)

10:00 AM – Pan American Foundation, Roll Call of Honor, Old Amphitheater

MONDAY, 30 MAY

11:00 AM – Memorial Day Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Laying And Memorial Sergice, Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier And Memorial Amphitheater

12:15 PM – (APPROX) Grand Army of the Republic, Veterans Service Organizations Mass Wreath Laying Ceremony, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

2:55 PM – National Moment of Silence, No Greater Love Organization, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

5:00 PM – Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Memorial Service, Tomb of the Unknowns from the Civil War