Contact: Michelle Shortencarrier
202-414-0791


WASHINGTON – In association with America Supports You, The National Memorial Day Parade will commence on May 29, 2006 to pay tribute to American veterans from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom and to honor active duty military personnel and all those who have died defending the United States. America Supports You is a Department of Defense program that highlights what Americans are doing to support members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. This year, for the first time, over 600 military personnel returned from deployed assignments from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan will be marching in the parade. [emphasis mine - Pam]

Notable veterans from WWI (104 ½ year old Lloyd Brown) through Desert Storm will serve as grand 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.

What: National Memorial Day Parade

When: Monday, May 29, 2006 from Noon to 2 p.m.

Where: Parade will step off at noon on Third Street, NW and then proceed to Constitution Ave, turning north onto 15th Street and ending at the corner of 15th St. and Pennsylvania Ave.

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, and the Gulf War. Patriotic floats, marching bands, antique cars and an Air Force Flyover will 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.

The parade ceremonies will begin shortly before noon with the Pledge of Allegiance, led by eight 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 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 organized by a coalition of military, veteran and civic groups in association with the World War II Veterans Committee, the White House Commission Remembrance and America Supports You, a Department of Defense program that highlights the support of the American people for members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. 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/.

Media: For satellite truck parking passes and media credentials, or to interview a parade spokesperson or participant, please contact Michelle Shortencarrier at (202) 414-0791

Spokesperson Advisory (Media Release)