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Travel to These Memorials Virtually

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONIES + SERVICES HAPPENING ONLINE

Article by Hayley Hyer

Photography by Stock Images

Amidst the barbecues, lake time, and huge sales, it's important to remember why we celebrate Memorial Day. It's our time to honor the veterans who served for our country and pay respects to those who lost their lives. And we also acknowledge the huge sacrifice made by their families and loved ones as well.

If you would normally travel to a national memorial or attend a ceremony, you can still do that even with our country's current situation. Many places are hosting virtual memorials that you can attend by simply hopping online. Here are some virtual options for you to be able to properly honor those we have lost.

National WWI Museum + Memorial

Memorial Day Ceremony

May 25, 10 a.m.

"A moving program to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice featuring remarks from dignitaries such as Missouri U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver II, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas U.S. Senator Jerry Moran, Kansas U.S. Representative Sharice Davids, Sporting KC star Khiry Shelton, musical performances from Kansas City native and Nashville recording artist Casi Joy (NBC’s “The Voice”) and much more."

Memorial Day Bell Tolling Ceremony

May 25, 12 p.m.

"We commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with a bell tolling ceremony. The bell used for this ceremony was originally located at a federal building in downtown Kansas City and was rung daily by the Daughters of the American Revolution during U.S. involvement in WWI (1917-1918). It was also tolled 11 times at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1926 during the dedication ceremony of the Liberty Memorial and again on Nov. 11, 2018 to commemorate the centennial of the WWI armistice."

Walk of Honor Dedication Ceremony

May 25, 2 p.m.

"Nearly 100 new Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony. The Walk of Honor is divided into three sections: bricks dedicated solely to those who served in World War I; bricks dedicated to veterans of any military service; and bricks that honor civilian friends, family or organizations. Walk of Honor bricks are dedicated twice each year during Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies."

Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund

Memorial Day Online Commemoration

May 25, 1 p.m.

"Memorial Day pays tribute to members of America’s armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and in all conflicts.

While current events unfolding across the country and the world have made it impossible for us to come together at The Wall, there WILL be a Memorial Day Ceremony, but it will be a live webcast — NOT in person at The Wall.

VVMF will observe Memorial Day 2020 with a virtual commemoration and we hope you will join us online at 1:00 p.m. on Monday, May 25th. Visit www.vvmf.org/alwaysremember for more details."

National D-Day Memorial

Memorial Day Virtual Event

May 25, 11 a.m. - 12 p.m.

"Though we cannot gather during this unprecedented time, the Memorial will honor and remember those who gave their lives to the cause of freedom with a virtual online event."

National Veterans Memorial + Museum

Memorial Day Virtual Run + Walk

May 22-25

"The National Veterans Memorial and Museum’s virtual 1 mile, 5k, and 10k run and walk is a family event to honor America’s lost heroes, all servicemen and servicewomen, who died defending our country's safety and freedom. The event features options to run or walk 1 mile or 5k in honor of a lost loved one in your own life or 10K (6.2 miles) to honor those lost from all 6 branches of service.

We invite everyone nationwide to take part in this 2020 Memorial Day commemoration by sharing who you will never forget. Whether you’re honoring one lost loved one or honoring all the brave service members who died serving our country, we encourage you to use #WeHonorThemTogether and @nationalvmm to share photos, your location, and stories of your participation as well as those being remembered. The National Veterans Memorial and Museum team will not only be monitoring and highlighting the participation across the nation but also the names, ranks, and branches of service of those being honored by their friends and family during this time."

The Virtual Run Challenge

Remember the Fallen Virtual Run

May 25

"Memorial Day is a day for remembrance of those who have died in service to our country. In the tradition of The Virtual Run Challenge paying tribute to these soldiers we are introducing our first annual Memorial Day Virtual Running event. Our Remember the Fallen virtual run will be a distance of 21k. 21k was chosen for the distance because it is commonly recognized as the highest honor by many nations. Also, represented by the number 21 and is also depicted in this year’s finisher medal is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. During the guard repeats the following routine until they are relieved:

  1. Marches 21 steps south down the 63-foot-long (19 m) black mat laid across the Tomb.
  2. Turns and faces east, toward the Tomb, for 21 seconds.
  3. Turns and faces north, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds.
  4. Marches 21 steps down the mat.
  5. Turns and faces east for 21 seconds.
  6. Turns and faces south, changes weapon to outside shoulder, and waits 21 seconds."

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