Memorial Day Weekend
National Observances occur on Sunday, May 26 and on Monday, May 27, 2019
If you will be in D.C. on the weekend you’ll have several events to choose from.
• Pay your respects at the war memorials on the National Mall.
• Visit Arlington National Cemetery. The Memorial Day Roses Foundation provides free roses to visitors who come to pay their respects. Servicemen and women place flags on the graves. Remembrance services are held in the Memorial Amphitheater, which are often attended by the President or Vice President.
• Attend the National Memorial Day Parade. It honors our military, past and present. Scheduled for Monday, May 27, 2:00 p.m. Arrive early for best viewing. It is also televised for those unable to attend.
• 2019 Rolling Thunder Motorcycle Rally will make its final “ride for freedom.”
Please check their website for information on their Memorial weekend activities.
https://www.rollingthunderrun.com/2019-run-info/
Music is always an important part of the weekend.
• National Memorial Day Choral Festival on Sunday, May 26, 3:00 p.m. at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, featuring choirs from throughout the United states and the United States Air Force Orchestra. Check website for tickets:
https://memorialdaychoralfestival.org/tickets/
• National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 26 at 8:00 p.m. ET On the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. You can also watch the event Live on PBS. Check local listings.
Many areas have regional or local observances of the day with parades, speeches, and other activities. Check with local cemeteries or boy scout troops for events in your area.
Of course there is much to do on this long weekend no matter where you live, including backyard barbecues, family and neighborhood gatherings. Plus park picnics and baseball games.
But please take some time out of your holiday weekend to remember the reason Memorial Day was established. When you do, please thank a veteran for their service and/or pay your respects at their gravesite.
Remember . . . Freedom isn’t Free.
~SuZan
© 2019 SuZan Klassen
SuZan Klassen 