4 Ways to Observe Memorial Day in and around Arlington, Virginia
Here are four powerful ways for you to spend Memorial Day this year in the Arlington and DC area.
Memorial Day
Spend Memorial Day Weekend in Arlington and DC where the area’s many military memorials form a dramatic, symbolic backdrop.
The Arlington and Washington, DC, areas are among the most meaningful places to honor our country's fallen heroes on Memorial Day, the last Monday of May. Indeed, they host the nation’s largest Memorial Day salute to the men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
Every year Arlington hosts special events that day. From the rolling green hills of Arlington National Cemetery to the awe-inspiring Air Force Memorial, Marine Corps War Memorial, National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial and Military Women’s Memorial, few places are more symbolic to experience Memorial Day. Here are the key events you can attend.
Arlington National Cemetery Ceremony
Arlington National Cemetery hosts an annual remembrance ceremony, including music by the U.S. Air Force Band and a wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, for some 5,000 visitors. The U.S. president typically delivers an address at this event, sponsored by the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. Volunteers place a flag by every tombstone, monument and columbarium row in the cemetery.
Military Women’s Memorial Event
The Court of Valor of the Military Women’s Memorial, meanwhile, is the site of formal military honors, where a woman from each military service tells her story and pays tribute to women who have served before.
National Memorial Day Concert
Across the Potomac River in DC, witness a star-studded lineup honoring military service and sacrifice at the National Memorial Day Concert at the U.S. Capitol. Taking place on the eve of Memorial Day, it kicks off with the national anthem and ends with “God Bless America.”
National Memorial Day Parade
Salute America's military and fallen service members at Washington's National Memorial Day Parade, which kicks off at 2 p.m. Watch participants strut and stroll down iconic Constitution Avenue to commemorate the shared values of service and sacrifice that have brought Americans together throughout our nation’s history. Attend a special pre-parade musical program on Constitution Avenue.
Rolling to Remember
Finally, you can show a display of support for military veterans, those missing in action, prisoners of war and suicide victims during Rolling to Remember, when thousands of motorcyclists rally in the nation’s capital during Memorial Day Weekend.
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