
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C. pays tribute to the pride, sacrifice and service of America's Veterans. Memorial Day, which was originally known as Decoration Day, has a history stretching back to the Civil War and serves as an important reminder of those who died in the service of their country.
The
National Memorial Day Parade returned to Washington D.C. in 2004 after a nearly 70-year absence, coinciding with the dedication of the World War II Memorial. This outpouring of appreciation to the veterans of World War II spilled over to veterans of the more recent conflicts as well. The National Memorial Day Parade is now an annual event organized by the American Veterans Center and
Music Celebrations International.
The three-hour parade passes alongside the National Mall on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets. The event is a magnificent salute to America's Veterans and in honor of those who died in defense of our country from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom. The parade consists of outstanding marching bands from many of the 50 states and veterans units honoring World War I, War World II, The Korean and Vietnam Conflicts, Desert Storm, and the liberation of Grenada, Panama, Iraq and Afghanistan. Large patriotic floats and helium-filled balloons are also part of procession. More than 10,000 participants take part in the parade annually.
The National Memorial Day Parade is streamed live on YouTube and at www.military.com beginning at 2:00 PM Eastern. The parade is also televised live on local stations nationwide, around the world on the American Forces Network, and locally in Washington, DC on News Channel 8.
• Belding High School Marching Band, Belding, Michigan
• Copper Hills High School Marching Band, West Jordan, Utah
• Dell Rapids High School Marching Band, Dell Rapids, South Dakota
• Evan E. Worthing Early College High School Pride of Sunnyside Marching Band, Houston, Texas
• Fort Dodge All-American Dodger Marching Band & Orchestra, Ft. Dodge, Iowa
• Grant High School Cougar Band, Dry Prong, Louisiana
• Hermiston High School Band, Hermiston, Oregon
• James Campbell High School Marching Band, Ewa Beach, Hawaii
• James S. Rickards High School Raider Band, Tallahassee, Florida
• John F. Kennedy Marching Eagles, Waterbury, Connecticut
• Loreauville High School Marching Band, Loreauville, Louisiana
• Mariachi Aztlán de Pueblo High School, Tucson, Arizona
• Marion Patriot Band, Marion, Arkansas
• Mississippi Lions All-State Band, Mississippi
• Modesto City Schools Marching Band, Modesto, California
• Mount Pleasant High School Marching Kilties, Providence, Rhode Island
• Naugatuck High School Marching Band, Naugatuck, Connecticut
• New Orleans Military & Maritime Academy Marching Band, New Orleans, Louisiana
• North Hardin Trojan Marching Band, Radcliff, Kentucky
• Northridge High School Jaguar Pride Marching Band, Tuscaloosa, Alabama
• Port Richmond High School Marching Band, Staten Island, New York
• Pottsville High School Marching Band, Pottsville, Arkansas
• Pride of Rochester Marching Band, Rochester, New York
• Pulaski Blue Devils, Pulaski, New York
• South Caldwell High School Spartan Band, Hudson, North Carolina
• St. Mary's Dominican High School Band and Choir, New Orleans, Louisiana
• Stockbridge Mighty Marching Tigers, Stockbridge, Georgia
• Sulphur High School Golden Tornado Marching Band, Sulphur, Louisiana
• Tupelo High School Marching Band, Tupelo, Mississippi
• West High School Viking Regiment, Bakersfield, California
A visit to Washington, D.C. gives music groups the opportunity to explore and experience many of the sites that are an important part of American history. Sample itineraries could include:
• Sightseeing tours of the Capitol Hill area, the Supreme Court Building and the Library of Congress.
• A "War Memorial" walking tour of the Lincoln, Korean, World War II, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and Vietnam Memorials.
• Visits to historic Mount Vernon, Old Towne Alexandria, Ford's Theater and the Peterson House (where Lincoln died).
• Attending the
National Memorial Day Concert on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol, featuring the National Symphony Orchestra broadcast live on PBS.