Memorial Day Weekend Events Honor Nation’s Heroes at the National WWI Museum and Memorial May 25-28, 2018
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (PRWEB) May 09, 2018 -- As the commemoration of the Centennial of World War I (2014-19) continues, the National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting place to honor and recognize the men and women who sacrificed their lives while serving their country during Memorial Day weekend. Additionally, the Museum invites the public to “find your World War I connection” and discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and more with a variety of programs throughout the weekend.
Admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend (Friday-Monday, May 25-28). The Museum and Memorial offers several events during the course of the weekend for people of all ages and interests, including a free public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day featuring a keynote address from former astronaut/space shuttle commander Jon McBride.
Pioneer Services is the Premier Sponsor of Memorial Day with additional support provided by Radio 810 WHB and the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund of Kansas City, Mo.
WORLD WAR I RESEARCH STATIONS
When: All Day, Friday-Monday, May 25-28
Where: Outside J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby
What: Find your connection to World War I during Memorial Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases including, Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives, discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. Presented in partnership with the Midwest Genealogy Center of Mid-Continent Public Library. FREE to the public.
WOUNDED WARRIORS FAMILY SUPPORT HIGH FIVE TOUR VEHICLE DISPLAY
When: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m., Friday-Monday, May 25-28
Where: South Walkway Entrance, Walk of Honor Section at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: During an eight-month tour, a mobility-equipped 2018 Ford F-150 Raptor truck adorned with a patriotic theme and a Purple Heart on its hood will travel thousands of miles across the United States before being donated to a veteran. People of all walks of life are invited and encouraged to show their support for military families by signing the tour vehicle with a message of support. FREE to the public.
VIETNAM ERA BELL UH-1 IROQUOIS “HUEY” HELICOPTER DISPLAY
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday-Monday, May 25-28
Where: Rectangular Drive at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for display. FREE to the public.
MUSEUM INSIDER: CURATOR HAPPY HOUR
When: 5:30 p.m.; Friday, May 25
Where: Wylie Gallery at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Join Stephanie Fox Knappe, Samuel Sosland Curator of American Art at The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, for a 30-minute conversation on the stories behind John Singer Sargent’s painting Gassed. Get an up-close look with this informal in-gallery chat with the contributing art historian for the exhibition John Singer Sargent Gassed. Tickets available at theworldwar.org and are $10 and include two drinks.
VINTAGE MILITARY VEHICLE DISPLAY
When: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday-Sunday, May 26-27
Where: Southeast Lawn outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) will display more than 20 vintage military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. MVPA members will be available to answer questions about their collection. Availability subject to weather. FREE to the public.
HANDS-ON HISTORY
When: 11 a.m., Saturday, May 26
Where: Near Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: History is brought to life during this family-friendly program, where kids of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts. FREE to the public.
IN THE KNOW: MEMORIALIZING THE FALLEN
When: 1 p.m., Saturday, May 26
Where: Edward Jones Research Center at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: More than 80,000 Americans made the ultimate sacrifice during World War I. In preparation for Memorial Day, join author Scott Schoner as he discusses the memorialization that occurred during and after WWI, the construction and maintenance of overseas military cemeteries, and modern research into American Expeditionary Forces casualty statistics and the efforts to compile accurate lists of the war dead. FREE with RSVP.
GASSED HANDS-ON HISTORY
When: 1 p.m., Saturday, May 26
Where: Wylie Gallery inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Join us for our Gassed-edition Hands-on History where an Education staff member will lead an interactive viewing of the work as guests see how John Singer Sargent used his observational skills to create his masterpiece. Complimentary with special exhibition paid admission.
BANK OF AMERICA CELEBRATION AT THE STATION
When: 3 p.m., Sunday, May 27 (concert begins at 8 p.m.)
Where: North Lawn outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Kick off your summer with the largest free Memorial Day weekend event in the Midwest. The Kansas City Symphony, led by Music Director Michael Stern, performs patriotic favorites against the backdrop of Kansas City's historic Union Station. Celebration at the Station concludes with a fireworks display over the Liberty Memorial at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. FREE to the public.
NATIONAL WWI MUSEUM AND MEMORIAL BENEFIT PANCAKE BREAKFAST
When: 9-11 a.m., Monday, May 28
Where: Over There Café, inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Enjoy some flapjacks (with hashbrowns and sausage/bacon) in a unique setting during a pancake feed with proceeds benefiting the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The meals are $10 for adults and $5 for children (12 and under) and include a beverage.
MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
When: 10-11 a.m., Monday, May 28
Where: Memorial Courtyard outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: A formal public program to include remarks from dignitaries, including U.S. Missouri Fifth District Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II, Kansas City and Missouri Mayor Sly James (a former U.S. Marine), a keynote address from former astronaut/space shuttle commander Jon McBride, musical performances from the USAF of Mid-America Hot Brass Band, operatic baritone John Brancy and pianist Peter Dugan and much more. FREE to the public.
CENTENARY: A WWI MEMORIAL IN SONG
When: Noon, Monday, May 28
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Revisit the hauntingly beautiful songs and poetry of the Great War with internationally acclaimed performers operatic baritone John Brancy and pianist Peter Dugan. An exploration of the timeless themes of longing and the search for meaning and peace, this 45-minute program features music by WWI veterans including New York natives Alan Seeger and Irving Berlin, alongside classics by Vaughan Williams, Schubert Rachmaninov, and more. CD signing to follow. FREE to the public.
WALK OF HONOR DEDICATION CEREMONY
When: 2 p.m., Monday, May 28
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: More than 100 new Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony. Entertainment includes a performance from John Brancy, remarks from veteran/journalist Rob Hughes and author Pat O’Neill and more. The Walk of Honor, now more than 11,000 bricks strong, is divided into three sections: bricks dedicated solely to those who served in World War I; bricks dedicated to veterans of any military service; and bricks that honor civilian friends, family or organizations. Walk of Honor bricks are dedicated twice each year during Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. FREE to the public.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HOURS AND PARKING
The National WWI Museum and Memorial will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday. To accommodate expected high Memorial Day weekend attendance, additional parking will be available on the Southeast lawn of the complex (weather permitting).
About the National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.
Elaina Boudreau, BELA Communications, +1 (913) 660-0548, [email protected]
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