At patriotic services, parades, and wreath-laying ceremonies, BVA members and their families throughout the country paused this past Monday to remember the ultimate sacrifice of the hundreds of thousands of men and women who have given their lives to preserve the nation’s freedoms.
At Arlington National Cemetery a mere 5.4 miles from the Association’s National Headquarters, Mid-Atlantic Regional Group member Lawrence Harrison (see photos) of Washington, DC, carried the BVA flag in a special “Parade of Colors” witnessed by approximately 5,000 onlookers in the Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater. The procession, marching to the music of the “National Emblem March” played by the United States Navy Band, signaled the start of the 155th annual remembrance ceremony. Lawrence was accompanied by his friend Mike Jenkins, who carried the U.S. Flag, and sighted guide Stan Wright.
Also attending the ceremony were Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr, and Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin, who presented a BVA wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier following the ceremony (see photos). Don and his wife, Peggy, were invited guests at an early morning White House breakfast with representatives of other Veterans Service Organizations. They also witnessed a Presidential wreath-laying as the Official Party of dignitaries arrived.
Addressing the crowd were Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark A. Milley, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III, and President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. The Navy Band accompanied the Sea Chanters Chorus in a Musical Interlude, The National Anthem, This Land is Your Land, and God Bless America.
Photo captions:
BVA’s Memorial Day wreath upon arrival at Arlington National Cemetery’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
With dozens of onlookers in the background, Headquarters staff members Don Overton and Alek Libbin present BVA wreath and pay their respects at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Mid-Atlantic Regional Group member Lawrence Harrison and Sighted Guide Pastor Stan Wright with BVA flag during official Dismissal of Colors. Lawrence joined some 40 other organizational flag-bearers at the ceremony.
Left to right outside Arlington National Cemetery’s Memorial Amphitheater, ceremony flag-bearers Lawrence Harrison, sighted guide Pastor Stan Wright, and Mike Jenkins.
