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Features for Senior Citizens
America Honors Military Dead and Veterans on Monday
Over nine million veterans are senior citizens
 May
27, 2006 - The National Memorial Day Parade will step off at noon Monday
with an Air Force fly over on Constitution Avenue, as America pays
tribute to those who died in military service. The parade will also
honor military veterans over 9 million senior citizens 65 or older -
from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom, and active duty
personnel.
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About Memorial Day |
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Memorial Day is a
United States federal holiday that is observed
on the last Monday of May (scheduled next for
May 29th, 2006). It was formerly known as
Decoration Day. This holiday commemorates
U.S. men and women who died in military service
for their country. It began first to honor
Union soldiers who died during the
American Civil War. After
World War I, it expanded to include those
who died in any war or military action.
-
www.Wikipedia.org
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Related Stories |
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Facts for Veterans Day 2005
Nov. 11, 2005 - Veterans Day
originated as Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1918. Its purpose: to
commemorate the end of World War I. First proclaimed by Congress in
1926, and each year thereafter, Armistice Day became Veterans Day in
1954 as a result of legislation signed by President Dwight D.
Eisenhower. The name was changed to honor all who served the nation in
wars or conflicts. Veterans Day has been observed annually on this date
since 1978, except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the
fourth Monday of October.
Read more facts...
Read more
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Features for Seniors |
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This year, for the first time, returning troops
from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in
Afghanistan will be marching in the parade. The Department of Defense
will be bringing approximately 600 recently returned personnel
representing the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Army
National Guard to participate in the event.
Guests and family members of the troops will be
seated in VIP bleachers next to the reviewing stand. This will be one of
the public's first opportunities to come together and thank these brave
heroes for their service.
Notable veterans from WWI through Desert Storm will
serve as honorary marshals alongside grand marshal Gary Sinise, the Emmy
award winning actor and film director who is often noted for his efforts
in raising awareness about the sacrifices made by members of the
military and paying homage to their work.
The parade is expected to take about three hours to
complete the one-mile route.
The parade will line up on Madison Ave., make a
left onto Third St., a left onto Pennsylvania Ave. for one block as it
bears onto Constitution Ave. The parade will turn north on 15th St. and
conclude at the corner of Pennsylvania Avenue.
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Vietnam Era Veterans Largest Veteran
Group
WWII vets second largest
 Vietnam
era veterans accounted for the largest veteran population in
2000. Nearly one-third of all veterans, 8.4 million, were from
the Viet Nam era. World War II veterans made up
the next largest group, with 5.7 million people.
For more on Veterans at Bureau of the Census -
click. |
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The parade will be comprised of bands, active
military units, youth groups and hundreds of veterans of World War I,
World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Operation Desert Storm,
Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Patriotic
floats will also be part of the procession with more than 3,000
participants expecting to take part in the parade. In addition, the
parade will have representation from countries such as the United
Kingdom, France and Canada.
Ceremonies will begin shortly before noon with the
Pledge of Allegiance, led by seven recipients of our nation's highest
military award, the Medal of Honor, and the singing of the Star-Spangled
Banner. At noon, the American flags across from the reviewing stand at
the National Archives building, will be raised from half-staff to full,
and a military flyover will take place, featuring a World War II-era
P-51, Korea-era F-86, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and an Air Force F-15
Eagle.
The parade will step off at noon on Third Street,
NW and Madison Dr., then proceed to Constitution Ave, and traveling to
15th Street NW. It will turn north on 15th St. and end at Pennsylvania
Avenue. The event is open to the public and all are welcome to attend to
show their gratitude, respect and support for the 2.6 million active
duty and reservist military personnel stationed around the world and to
remember those we have lost.
The National Memorial Day Parade is an annual event
in Washington, D.C. sponsored by the American Veterans Center in
association with America Supports You and the White House Commission on
Remembrance and with the support of more than 40 veterans and military
organizations.
For more information on the parade, visit
http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.
About the American Veterans
Center:
 The
American Veterans Center is a non-profit educational foundation based in
Washington, DC. The Center's mission is to preserve the legacy of
America's servicemen and women of all generations. In addition to
presenting the National Memorial Day Parade, the American Veterans
Center houses the World War II Veterans Committee and the National
Vietnam Veterans Committee, both of which are dedicated to telling the
stories of the veterans of their respective generations through
documentary work, publications, and speaker conferences. To learn more
about the American Veterans Center's projects, visit
http://www.AmericanVeteransCenter.org.
About America Supports You:
America Supports You is an ongoing
nationwide program that helps showcase American's support for the men
and women of the Armed Forces. Since its launch in November of 2004 by
the Department of Defense, America Supports You has welcomed more than
200 grassroots organizations and more than 20 corporate sponsors to its
team. Many America Supports You team members support the troops by
writing letters, sending care packages, helping the wounded when they
return home, assisting military families, sending e-mails or simply
extending kind gestures to the troops. To learn more about how you can
support military personnel please visit
http://www.americasupportsyou.mil.
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