Legion helps celebrate Memorial Day in D.C.

Numerous representatives from the Legion were spread out around the nation’s capital during Memorial Day, attending ceremonies, participating in rituals and even serving as featured speakers at events. They were all operating under the same sentiment: that Memorial Day is about remembering our fallen servicemembers, not celebrating the start of summer.

Volunteers from the Legion’s Washington office staffed an informational booth on the National Mall near the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from Friday to Monday evening, passing out Legion brochures, giving tokens of appreciation to veterans and providing VA benefit information.

The Legion Riders had a busy a weekend as well, participating in Rolling Thunder - a marathon motorcycling event that includes nearly half a million participants. Motorcyclists rode parade laps around Washington in an awareness ride that culminated outside of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the Pentagon. Marty Justis, executive director for the Legion’s Indianapolis-based National Headquarters, was among the group.

On Memorial Day itself, Vietnam veteran and National Vice Commander William Schrier participated in wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery and the Vietnam Veterans Wall. At nearby Quantico National Cemetery, Executive Director Peter Gaytan of the Legion's Washington office delivered the keynote address at a Memorial Day ceremony, and Legion Legislative Director Tim Tetz appeared on a special hour-long Memorial Day broadcast on CNN.