The American Veterans Center announced today that the 13th annual National Memorial Day Parade will take place on Monday, May 29th, starting at 2pm ET along Constitution Avenue in our nation’s capital. The parade will be nationally syndicated on local stations throughout the U.S. and distributed internationally to our service members watching on American Forces Network, reaching over 80 million households worldwide. The parade will also be streamed LIVE on YouTube.com and Military.com.
An expected crowd of more than a quarter million Americans will line the National Mall to watch thousands of participants, including veterans and active duty military personnel, historical re-enactors, marching bands, musical performers, and celebrity supporters of our troops.
“The American Veterans Center is proud to have brought the tradition of a National Memorial Day Parade back to our nation’s capital after it faded away during World War II,” said James C. Roberts, President of the American Veterans Center. “Over these last thirteen years, the parade has grown into the largest Memorial Day event in the country. As a ‘moving timeline of American military history,’ it’s a family friendly spectacular calling attention to the true meaning of the holiday – honoring and remembering our fallen heroes, and commemorating the American spirit and sacrifices of all who have served throughout our shared history.”
This year’s parade will recognize the 100th anniversary of America’s entry into World War I, the 75th anniversary of World War II, and the continuing 50th anniversary of Vietnam, which coincides with the highly anticipated forthcoming docu-series, “The Vietnam War,” directed by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick, who will serve as Honorary Grand Marshals for the parade. The film will premiere on PBS beginning September 17.
The parade will also commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the United States Air Force, with special tributes, parade floats, and Grand Marshal retired Air Force General Richard B. Myers, 15th Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Also joining the parade are Tony-winning actor Joe Mantegna; Miss America 2017 Savvy Shields; celebrity chef & U.K. Royal Navy veteran Robert Irvine; and with live musical performances by Daughtry, Five for Fighting, and more. The parade’s TV broadcast nationwide and to our military will include special “Memorial Day Moments” thanking our troops from stars of music, film and television including Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Jack Black, Toby Keith, Reba McEntire, Conan O’Brien, Kid Rock, Ray Romano, and more.
The National Memorial Day Parade will commence at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. It will proceed west down Constitution, ending just past the White House and the National World War II Memorial at 17th Street. Participants will pass by the nation’s monuments, memorials, and museums, and be greeted by hundreds of thousands of spectators waving their flags and cheering for our country’s heroes – all in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. The parade is produced by the American Veterans Center, with support from American Airlines, Leidos, Wells Fargo, the Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes, and many other generous sponsors. To learn more about attending the National Memorial Day Parade or tuning in to the LIVE television broadcast, visit www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.
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About the American Veterans Center: The American Veterans Center (AVC) and its subsidiary, the World War II Veterans Committee, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation dedicated to guarding the legacy and honoring the sacrifice of our military personnel from every generation. The National Memorial Day Parade is held annually in Washington D.C. For more information, visit www.americanveteranscenter.org or www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com.
Attachments:
A photo accompanying this announcement is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ad79da7e-79fd-4a7d-8ac7-77e41c01e359