RELEASE: Trust for the National Mall and Doughboy Foundation to Honor Fallen Heroes During U.S. Semiquincentennial
RELEASE: Trust for the National Mall and Doughboy Foundation to Honor Fallen Heroes During U.S. Semiquincentennial
Gold Star Mothers Wreath Laying and Simultaneous 16-Site Taps Tribute Set for Memorial Day at 8 AM
WASHINGTON, D.C. - This Memorial Day, as the nation commemorates America’s 250th anniversary, the Trust for the National Mall and the Doughboy Foundation will transform the National Mall into a unified landscape of gratitude through Notes of Remembrance: Taps Across the National Mall. The tribute begins at 7:50 AM with a wreath-laying ceremony at the National World War I Memorial alongside Gold Star Mothers, followed by a simultaneous sounding of Taps at 16 veterans, war and presidential memorials across the nation’s capital at 8:00 AM.
"Notes of Remembrance" serves as a powerful call to pause and reflect on the supreme sacrifice made by American service members. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, this year's tribute expands to include presidential memorials, honoring the Commanders in Chief who led the nation through its most defining conflicts.
"Sounding Taps in unison across these sacred spaces creates a singular moment of national reflection. These memorials honor significant moments in our history and all share a common thread of service and sacrifice," said Catherine Townsend, President & CEO of the Trust for the National Mall. "We are proud to be a partner in this meaningful commemoration and to have our Volunteers-In-Parks with the National Park Service provide a special welcome to the families of the fallen and all who gather on the National Mall this Memorial Day."
The event centers at the National World War I Memorial, where the Doughboy Foundation continues its mission of keeping faith with those who served. "We are honored to stand with Gold Star Mothers. Their resilience inspires us to ensure that future generations learn about the American experience in World War I through stories of service and sacrifice,” said Clair S. Sassin, President & CEO of the Doughboy Foundation.
Following the 7:50 AM wreath laying ceremony, buglers will sound Taps simultaneously at 8:00 AM at the National WWI Memorial and 15 additional memorial and future memorial sites honoring military sacrifice and Presidential service including:
The World War II, Korean War Veterans, Vietnam Veterans, African American Civil War, American Veterans Disabled for Life, DC War, Desert Shield and Desert Storm (future site of), Dwight D. Eisenhower, Global War on Terrorism, United States Navy, U.S. Marine Corps War, Thomas Jefferson, Washington Monument, Lincoln, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt memorials.
Event Details: Notes of Remembrance: Taps Across the National Mall
About the Doughboy Foundation: The Doughboy Foundation tells the story of the 4.7 million American soldiers -- men and women -- who fought in WWI. More than 116,000 soldiers died and yet most Americans don't know much about it. We focus on educating people on the American experience in WWI through our education programs, by sounding Taps at the National WWI Memorial every day at 5 p.m. and through our cultural and arts programs such as our annual symposium and summer concert series featuring our own American Expeditionary Forces Band. The Doughboy Foundation, a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, DC., is committed to “Keeping Faith with the American Doughboy.” To learn more please visit: www.doughboy.org.
About the Trust for the National Mall: As the nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3) philanthropic partner of the National Park Service, the Trust for the National Mall is dedicated to restoring, enriching and preserving the National Mall. The Trust raises private funding, provides project expertise and in-kind support to help elevate the National Mall and its historic purpose, which takes on new meaning as America’s 250th anniversary arrives on America’s Front Yard. The Trust leads capital restoration projects, mobilizes volunteer operations and provides innovative educational experiences to ensure the National Mall, with 36 million visits each year, endures and inspires now and for future generations. To learn more please visit: www.nationalmall.org.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Doughboy Foundation: Clair S. Sassin, President & CEO, clair.sassin@doughboy.org
Trust for the National Mall: Julie Moore, VP of Communications, jmoore@nationalmall.org