MANDAN, N.D. - The 2013 Memorial Day Ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery will begin at noon, Monday, May 27. This annual event honors all deceased American servicemen and women and is free to the public. The theme is "Remembering Through the Decades," in recognition of the 40 and 60 years since the end of the Vietnam and Korean Wars, respectively.
The cemetery is located 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806.
Participants should arrive early due to anticipated crowds and incoming traffic. Lawn chairs are encouraged due to limited seating. Shuttle vans will be available to transport people from parking areas to the ceremony.
This year's keynote speaker is former U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Clinton L. Romesha, Medal of Honor recipient. The emcee is Col. Robert J. Becklund, chief of staff for Air, North Dakota National Guard. Other scheduled speakers are Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Sen. John Hoeven, Rep. Kevin Cramer and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard.
The North Dakota National Guard's Fargo-based 188th Army Band's Brass Quintet will perform "Amazing Grace" as well as pre-ceremony music. Also participating in the ceremony are local veteran organizations and their auxiliaries who will post colors.
The national anthem will be performed by Brianna J. Helbling and Dakota Thunder will perform the "Flag Song." "Taps in Echo" will be played by Dillon Parker and Dan Russell. American Legion Post #40 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #707 will render a rifle salute and the North Dakota National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team will fire a 21-gun salute using a World War I era French 75 millimeter cannon.
Pastor Randy Brown, Temple Baptist Church in Jamestown, N.D., and Maj. James Cheney, chaplain North Dakota National Guard, will present Memorial Day prayers. After the formal portion of the ceremony concludes, the Lakota Thunder will perform "The Honor Song," honoring all American fallen service members.
After the ceremony, in honor of past and present military personnel, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is offering free admission tours of the Custer house and On-A-Slant Indian village. Fort Abraham Lincoln is located nearby, northeast of the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
Also in support of the Memorial Day ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, the Viet Nam Vets / Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club along with the Second Brigade Motorcycle Club are organizing a Memorial Day "Motorcycle Honor Ride."
The clubs will organize motorcycles and ride together from Bismarck to cemetery. To participate in the motorcycle run, please assemble at "The Shop," 131 Airport Road in Bismarck by 10:45 a.m. Ride organizers will be on site by 10 a.m.
Participants will leave Bismarck at 11 a.m., head west on Main Street, cross the Liberty Memorial Bridge to Mandan's Memorial Highway. After turning west on Mandan's 3rd Street SE, the motorcyclists will head south on North Dakota Highway 1806 until they reach the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. All motorcyclists are invited to join the run and no pre-coordination is required.
WHAT: 2013 Memorial Day Ceremony - North Dakota Veterans Cemetery
WHEN: May 27 at noon
WHERE: North Dakota Veterans' Cemetery, 6.5 miles south of Mandan, N.D., on Highway 1806
MEDIA: No pre-coordination required; Bill Prokopyk will be on site 701-220-7277
| Date Taken: |
05.23.2013 |
| Date Posted: |
05.23.2013 22:14 |
| Story ID: |
107515 |
| Location: |
MANDAN, NORTH DAKOTA, US |
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448 |
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0 |
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