COLUMBUS, Ohio — The National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus announced its Memorial Day weekend plans to honor fallen service members.
“On Memorial Day weekend, we ask every American to remember our loved ones, friends and teammates who have fallen while serving our nation,” said Col. Bill Butler, U.S. Army (Retired), acting president of the National Veterans Memorial and Museum. “It’s important to say the names of those we have lost and to share their stories, so they live on in our hearts and here through the NVMM and the events of Memorial Day weekend.”
Here are the list of events for throughout the weekend:
New exhibition opening: Ghost Army: The Combat Con Artists of World War II
- The exhibit opens Friday at 7 p.m. and explores how the top-secret "Ghost Army" utilized people and resources to create and deploy the first mobile, tactical deception unit. Tickets are available online.
"The Murph" CrossFit Hero Workout
- This will take place on Saturday with heats at 8 a.m., 9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Each session costs $30. The NVMM said The Murph is "guaranteed to make participants feel the sacrifice" but to not be intimidated. It will include assistance and modified movements.
Memorial Day Ride to the NVMM
- The ride invites motorcyclists are invited for the Memorial Day Ride to the NVMM starting wherever they choose. The ride will end at the museum at 11 a.m. Tickets are $15.
Gold Star Family Candlelight Vigil
- The candlelight procession will go from the museum rooftop down to the Memorial Grove. The guest speaker is Tara Harris, who is the daughter of First Sgt. Glenn Harris of B Company, 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. Country music singer and U.S. Army Ranger Veteran Keni Thomas will also share a tribute for Families of the Fallen. The event is free.
Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony (10 a.m.) | $5 Admission and Streamed on YouTube and Facebook
- The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. and admission is $5. The keynote message will be given by Patrick Murphy, the 32nd Undersecretary of the U.S. Army and America’s first Iraq War Veteran elected to the U.S. Congress.
We (Heart) Veterans Pin Design Challenge Winners
- The "We (Heart) Veterans Pin Design Challenge) is a national STEM contest for fourth through twelfth graders. Two winners will be at the NVMM on Memorial Day — Asitai B., a 5th-grade student from Cary, N.C. and William R., a 12th-grade student from Utica, Ky. They will be recognized and will show their 3D-printed pins to veterans.
For more information on these events, click here.