National Memorial Day Parade to Feature Actor Gary Sinise, U.S. Air Force Band and Veterans From All Branches of Military

National Memorial Day Parade to Feature Actor Gary Sinise, U.S. Air Force Band and Veterans From All Branches of Military

WASHINGTON, May 14 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Veterans Center again presents the annual National Memorial Day Parade, Monday, May 28, at 2 p.m. along Constitution Avenue.

The parade features Honorary Marshal actor Gary Sinise, (best known for his role as Lt. Dan in Forrest Gump and current star of TV's "CSI New York"). The Grand Marshals are a contingent of wounded heroes from Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. The Honorary Marshal for WWI is Frank Buckles -- one of the last living American veterans of "The Great War."

Leading the parade is the U.S. Air Force band and the marching band from Washington, DC's Eastern High School.

Other highlights along with floats, military vehicles and active duty military, include:

* The parade commemorates the 60th Anniversary of the United States Air
Force with an Air Force flyover in the "Missing Man Formation" during a
National Moment of Remembrance at 3 p.m. when the parade will halt for
one minute.

* Veterans of the "Band of Brothers," E. Company of the 506th Parachute
Infantry, 101st Airborne Division of World War II, made famous by the
HBO miniseries by Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

* Tuskegee Airmen, pioneers who formed the first unit of black fighter
pilots during World War II. The Tuskegee Airmen were recently awarded
Congressional Gold Medals by President George W. Bush for their heroic
service.

* Singer Pat Boone performs his tribute song to the National Guard called
"For My Country" prior to the start of the parade.

* Parade announcer is Adrian Cronauer, the famed Vietnam disc jockey
portrayed by Robin Williams in the movie, Good Morning, Vietnam!

* Several of the "Doolittle Raiders." 65 years ago, sixteen American
B-25s, led by Jimmy Doolittle, undertook a daring bombing mission
against Japan. The raid was a morale boost to the country, reeling
from the attack at Pearl Harbor. Included is Doolittle's co-pilot, Lt.
Col. Richard E. Cole.

For more information, visit http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com/ or call Tim Holbert at 703/302-1012, ext. 220 or e-mail tholbert@americanveteranscenter.org.

Source: The American Veterans Center

CONTACT: Tim Holbert +1-703-302-1012 ext. 220, or Ian Walters,
+1-202-321-0715, both of The American Veterans Center

Web site:

http://www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com/

-------
Profile: intent