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Press Release
Troops' Families to Gather May 21 for D.C. Tribute Honoring Fallen
Friday May 12, 9:50 am ET
'A Time of Remembrance' in Washington May 21 to Bring Together Descendents, Relatives of American Heroes Since 1776
Families From Across U.S. to Gather on National Mall in First-of-Its-Kind Tribute to Honor Loved Ones
WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 3,000 family members of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq will be joined by descendants of American heroes from every war dating back to 1776, honoring those who have fought and died to protect the United States of America in a first-of-its-kind event -- "A Time of Remembrance" -- at noon on Sunday, May 21, 2006 on the National Mall, Washington Monument Grounds.
Organized by the White House Commission on Remembrance, which was created by Congress in 2000 as an independent, non-partisan agency intended to raise awareness about America's fallen troops and those they left behind, "A Time of Remembrance" will honor America's military history and those who served in the war on terrorism and in combat overseas.
A key element will be the presentation of the specially-created Gold Medal of Remembrance to children of military men and women killed in action in Afghanistan and Iraq. The medals will be presented by General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and R. James "Jim" Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
"This tribute is intended to show families that their fellow Americans care about their loss. A goal of 'A Time of Remembrance' is to unite Americans across generations, cultures and party lines in a celebration of the lives of those who died for our freedom, and the celebration of that freedom. The Commission is proud to have initiated and organized this historic event," said Carmella LaSpada, Commission director.
A Time of Remembrance will begin at noon on Sunday, May 21, 2006 on the National Mall at the Washington Monument in the District of Columbia, and is planned to continue for 90 minutes. Among the features in the ceremony will be:
* Introduction of family members who lost a relative in each of
America's conflicts, including descendents of Nathan Hale from the
Revolutionary War, the Sullivan Brothers from World War II and
descendents of those who died in the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars.
* The presentation of the Gold Medal of Remembrance to the children of
the fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq.
* The National Anthem sung by Tuskegee Airman Esra M. Hill, Sr. and the
Army Chorus.
* Remarks by dignitaries including U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska.
* A flyover by military aircraft.
Families are expected to attend from every one of the 50 states as well as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
Congress established The White House Commission on Remembrance in 2000 as an independent government agency to encourage Americans to honor the sacrifices of America's fallen and the families they left behind. It promotes acts of remembrance throughout the year, and is tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. each Memorial Day.
Source: White House Commission on Remembrance
Troops' Families to Gather May 21 for D.C. Tribute Honoring Fallen
Friday May 12, 9:50 am ET
'A Time of Remembrance' in Washington May 21 to Bring Together Descendents, Relatives of American Heroes Since 1776
Families From Across U.S. to Gather on National Mall in First-of-Its-Kind Tribute to Honor Loved Ones
WASHINGTON, May 12 /PRNewswire/ -- More than 3,000 family members of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq will be joined by descendants of American heroes from every war dating back to 1776, honoring those who have fought and died to protect the United States of America in a first-of-its-kind event -- "A Time of Remembrance" -- at noon on Sunday, May 21, 2006 on the National Mall, Washington Monument Grounds.
Organized by the White House Commission on Remembrance, which was created by Congress in 2000 as an independent, non-partisan agency intended to raise awareness about America's fallen troops and those they left behind, "A Time of Remembrance" will honor America's military history and those who served in the war on terrorism and in combat overseas.
A key element will be the presentation of the specially-created Gold Medal of Remembrance to children of military men and women killed in action in Afghanistan and Iraq. The medals will be presented by General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and R. James "Jim" Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
"This tribute is intended to show families that their fellow Americans care about their loss. A goal of 'A Time of Remembrance' is to unite Americans across generations, cultures and party lines in a celebration of the lives of those who died for our freedom, and the celebration of that freedom. The Commission is proud to have initiated and organized this historic event," said Carmella LaSpada, Commission director.
A Time of Remembrance will begin at noon on Sunday, May 21, 2006 on the National Mall at the Washington Monument in the District of Columbia, and is planned to continue for 90 minutes. Among the features in the ceremony will be:
* Introduction of family members who lost a relative in each of
America's conflicts, including descendents of Nathan Hale from the
Revolutionary War, the Sullivan Brothers from World War II and
descendents of those who died in the Korean, Vietnam and Gulf wars.
* The presentation of the Gold Medal of Remembrance to the children of
the fallen in Afghanistan and Iraq.
* The National Anthem sung by Tuskegee Airman Esra M. Hill, Sr. and the
Army Chorus.
* Remarks by dignitaries including U.S. Senator Chuck Hagel, R-Nebraska.
* A flyover by military aircraft.
Families are expected to attend from every one of the 50 states as well as Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and Guam.
Congress established The White House Commission on Remembrance in 2000 as an independent government agency to encourage Americans to honor the sacrifices of America's fallen and the families they left behind. It promotes acts of remembrance throughout the year, and is tasked to unite the country in the National Moment of Remembrance at 3:00 p.m. each Memorial Day.
Source: White House Commission on Remembrance