THE 2015 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
On a bright , sunny yet refreshingly cool Memorial Day afternoon in Washington , DC , more than 350,000 spectators joined nearly 5,000 participants for the National Memorial Day Parade along Constitution Avenue .
As the nation ’ s largest Memorial Day event passed the White House , the National Archives , and the Washington Monument , few could believe that just over a decade ago , the streets of Washington were nearly silent and empty on our military ’ s most important holiday .
Though the tradition of parades on Memorial Day date back to the holiday ’ s emergence in the years after the Civil War , Washington , DC - our nation ’ s capital and headquarters of our military - was without a parade for nearly 70 years when the tradition faded away during the Second World War .
In 2004 , the American Veterans Center & World War II Veterans Committee was asked to lead the effort to hold a parade in honor of World War II veterans in conjunction with the
dedication of the National World War II Memorial . The parade - held on the morning of Memorial Day - proved a success , and the following year the AVC brought back the tradition of a National Memorial Day Parade in Washington , DC .
Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2015 , the National Memorial Day Parade is a moving timeline of American military history , featuring tributes to our military and fallen heroes from the American Revolution to the present day . The parade is joined by thousands of veterans , marching bands , historical reenactors , musical performers , and active duty military personnel .
Also joining the parade were a number of celebrity supporters of the military , including actor Gary Sinise ( pictured left ) participating in the parade annually since 2006 .
The 2015 National Memorial Day Parade was televised live to our military personnel serving around the world on American Forces Network , as well as nationwide on cable and satellite on REELZ Channel and online at Military . com and DoD News .
This tremendous spectacle and tribute to our military men and women across the generations was made possible only through the support of private contributions from generous Americans across the country , including thousands of individual supporters of the American Veterans Center and the World War II Veterans Committee .
GRAND MARSHALS – THE VETERANS OF WORLD WAR II
Memorial Day 2015 and the summer that followed marked the 70th anniversary of one of the most important moments in history - the Allied victory in World War II . As such , all veterans of World War II were named Grand Marshals of the 2015 National Memorial Day Parade , with nearly 100 veterans of the war representing the 16 million Americans who served and 400,000 that made the ultimate sacrifice .
Veterans were driven down Constitution Avenue to thunderous applause , riding in classic cars from the World War II-era . They passed the National Archives , The White House , and the Washington Monument ( left ) before the parade ’ s conclusion near the National World War II Memorial .
As Stanley Jaworski , a U . S . Navy veteran of World War II who came from Cleveland , Ohio to ride the parade told the Washington Post , “ It ’ s a big day . I just couldn ’ t wait for this day .”
The National Memorial Day Parade has become more than just a parade , but an educational experience that touches thousands of families . Martin Lourduswamy , a software engineer who emigrated from India , brought his two sons , 12-year-old Daniel and 9-year-old Joseph , to watch the event in person . He told the Post , “ I ’ m leading this life because someone sacrificed for me . I ’ m able to enjoy a lot of things here because people fought for a cause , for freedom .”
While the parade remembered the World War II generation , it also saluted generations of sacrifice throughout our history . One attendee , John Laski from New Jersey , served in Vietnam . As he told the Post , “‘ You know , the tears are always right here ,’ gesturing at his face . He recalled ( the post-Vietnam era ) as ‘ the parade that never was , the thanks that never seemed to come .’”
With the National Memorial Day Parade , that thanks for our Vietnam veterans , and all who have served honorably , has come - and will come - every year .
NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CHORAL FESTIVAL
On Sunday , May 24 . thousands gathered at the John F . Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts as the American Veterans Center partnered with Music Celebrations International to present the National Memorial Day Choral Festival .
Launched in 2008 to pair with the National Memorial Day Parade , the festival features a concert bringing together hundreds of voices , performing with the Air Force band in front of nearly 2,500 spectators .
8 AMERICAN VALOR QUARTERLY