As part of last year's Memorial Day program at Valley Forge National Historical Park, this nine-year-old bugler took part in the commemorative concert at Washington Memorial Chapel
There are more Memorial Day honorifics in Montgomery County this year than in Philadelphia County itself.
KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. (PRWEB) May 26, 2016
No matter how you choose to celebrate Memorial Day 2016, Montgomery County is the site to spend the three-day weekend.
As a place to honor the U.S. military, the appeal of Valley Forge is inherent. Its 3,500 acre footprint is commonly recognized as the birthplace of the U.S. Army, given the strategic role it played during the American Revolution.
That sense of gravitas runs deeply across the entire county, so much so that according to research by the Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board (VFVTCB), there are more Memorial Day honorifics in Montgomery County this year than in Philadelphia County itself.
The VFTCB website lists Memorial Day programs that celebrate the fallen members of our military:
- Patriotic concerts at both Valley Forge National Historical Park and in Ambler
- Memorial services in Norristown and Phoenixville
- A veterans’ luncheon in Schwenksville
- Fireworks in Hatboro
- Parades in Lansdale, Gladwyne Trappe and Ardmore
“Montgomery County finds great meaning in Memorial Day,” says Mike Bowman, VFTCB President and CEO. “This holiday is set apart from Veterans Day because it particularly reminds us of military personnel who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. It’s an appropriate time to remember those first U.S. troops, the 2,000 soldiers who died as a result of the 1777 encampment at Valley Forge.”
The VFTCB recognizes that the holiday is also a popular time for families to enjoy a break from school and work and bond a little more tightly. It is positioning Montgomery County as a worthy and economical alternative to a trip to either the shore or the mountains.
“People don’t realize that what they find attractive about the Shore and the Poconos can be enjoyed right here in Montgomery County,” says Bowman. “Families can get some fresh air and exercise on our 91 miles of trails; they can enjoy Boardwalk-style amusements in an indoor setting; see a movie in a historic, restored theater; get out on the open water for boating or fishing; and even ride a Civil War-era train.
“Better still,” Bowman continues, “these experiences are conveniently located, easy to get to and very economical. Our sites offer free parking, for example. And you’re not going to sit with the thousands of cars trying to get through the toll plazas on the Atlantic City Expressway,” he concludes.
Visitors planning to spend the long weekend in Montgomery County can use the VFTCB online resource to ensure they find exactly what they’re looking for in terms of accommodations, amenities, locations and price points.