Photo By William Prokopyk | Graves at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, near Mandan, N.D., were adorned with...... read more read more
MANDAN, N.D. - The 2014 Memorial Day Ceremony at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery will begin at noon, Monday, May 26. This annual event honors all deceased American servicemen and women and is free to the public. The theme is "Forever Family" and will feature a father and son as keynote speaker and emcee respectfully. The cemetery is located 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806.
Participants should arrive early due to anticipated crowds. Lawn chairs are encouraged due to limited seating. Shuttle vans marked with yellow flashing lights on top will be available to transport attendees from parking areas to the ceremony.
Due to the large attendance anticipated and limited parking near the ceremony area, handicap-marked vehicles are encouraged to arrive before 11 a.m. Individuals not attending the ceremony, but dropping off flowers for Memorial Day grave decorations, need to arrive by 10:30 a.m.
This year's keynote speaker is retired Army National Guard Maj. Gen. Robert E. Schulte. The emcee is North Dakota Air National Guard Col. Robert A. Schulte, commander of the 119th Medical Group, 119th Wing, in Fargo. Additional scheduled speakers are Gov. Jack Dalrymple, Sen. Heidi Heitkamp, Rep. Kevin Cramer and Maj. Gen. David Sprynczynatyk, adjutant general for the North Dakota National Guard.
The North Dakota Army 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, who will post colors. The Bismarck Mounted Police also will carry colors and have a caparisoned riderless horse with boots reversed in the stirrups to symbolize a fallen warrior that will no longer ride into battle.
The national anthem will be performed by sister duo Tigirlily. Taps will be performed by Dillon Parker. AMVETS Post No. 9, Bismarck, will render a rifle salute volley and the North Dakota National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team will fire a salute using a World War I-era French 75 millimeter cannon. Pastor Matt Anderson, Surprise Church, Bismarck, and 1st Lt. Chad Dion, chaplain, North Dakota Army National Guard, will present Memorial Day prayers. After the formal portion of the ceremony concludes, the Big Lake Drum Group will perform "The Honor Song," honoring all American fallen service members.
Also, in honor of past and present military personnel, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is offering free admission and tours from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 a.m. and refreshments at the commissary after the Memorial Day event from 1-5 p.m. Fort Abraham Lincoln is located adjacent to and northeast of the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. For additional information, please call 701-667-6340.
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 at "The Shop" (131 Airport Road) in Bismarck and ride together to the cemetery.
Motorcycle Honor Ride 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. To participate in the ride, please assemble at "The Shop" by 10:45 a.m. All motorcyclists are invited to join the ride and no pre-coordination is required. Ride organizers will be on site by 10 a.m.
WHAT: 2014 Memorial Day Ceremony - North Dakota Veterans Cemetery.
WHEN: May 26, 2014, 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: | 05.23.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.23.2014 13:23 |
| Story ID: | 130956 |
| Location: | MANDAN, ND, US |
| Web Views: | 574 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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