Please take a moment to reflect on this day and remember all these brave men and women who gave up so much for this country.
A patriotic ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of America's military members is scheduled for May 26 at 11 A.M. in Arlington National Cemetery.
This year's event, which marks the 140th observance of Memorial Day on these hallowed grounds, will be hosted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a remembrance ceremony in the Memorial Amphiteater. The event will commence with a prelude concert by the U.S. Army Band at 10:20 a.m. inside the amphiteater.
Both ceremonies are free and open to the military community and general public. No tickets are needed to attend this event.
For people interested in observing the wreath ceremony, space is limited to standing room only. Inside the amphitheater, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The amphitheater can accommodate 5,500 people, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to the event.
At 8 A.M. the cemetery gates open and a free shuttle service will begin transporting people from the visitors' center to the amphitheater. Attendees will be admitted into the ceremony site at about 8:30 A.M.
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978
A patriotic ceremony honoring the service and sacrifice of America's military members is scheduled for May 26 at 11 A.M. in Arlington National Cemetery.
This year's event, which marks the 140th observance of Memorial Day on these hallowed grounds, will be hosted by Major General Richard J. Rowe Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region.
A wreath-laying ceremony will take place at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a remembrance ceremony in the Memorial Amphiteater. The event will commence with a prelude concert by the U.S. Army Band at 10:20 a.m. inside the amphiteater.
Both ceremonies are free and open to the military community and general public. No tickets are needed to attend this event.
For people interested in observing the wreath ceremony, space is limited to standing room only. Inside the amphitheater, seating is available on a first-come, first-served basis. The amphitheater can accommodate 5,500 people, but attendees are encouraged to arrive early to ensure access to the event.
At 8 A.M. the cemetery gates open and a free shuttle service will begin transporting people from the visitors' center to the amphitheater. Attendees will be admitted into the ceremony site at about 8:30 A.M.
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978
2 comments:
Thank you for posting this. My father was buried there recently and I wasn't able to come. I appreciate your thoughts.
Dear Bill...I could not go to bed before I checked your blog to see what you had put in for Memorial Day and I am not disappointed.
It is so moving!
Did you see ABC news this evening? They had a piece on about an artist that is using all of his talent and time now painting the portraits of the fallen heroes. So far he has painted 1200 men and women. He sends them to the moms and dads and husbands and wives who have lost their loved ones in the war.
If you can get ABC on the internet, I am sure that you would be able to watch the video. Other wise you can look Mr.Michael Reagan up on Google by putting in "Portraits Of Fallen Heroes".
Take care now. I am so happy to hear about Judy... An answer to many prayers!
Thank you for praying for my family.
Later on within the next few days, I will write you an email and tell you what they have been going through.....Terry
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