Memorial Day Ceremony

The Women’s Memorial 24th annual Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 4 p.m., May 31, 2021. The ceremony, one of the major Memorial Day programs in the nation’s capital, is free and open to the public. In addition to formal military honors and a keynote address, the program will include remarks from past and present military women representing each of the six services; and the Memorial’s signature event, the scattering of rose petals in tribute to departed comrades. Members of the public are invited to join in the personal tribute segment of the program.

Delivering this year’s keynote address is UnitingUS Vice President Cynthia Scott Johnson. The non-profit UnitingUS  brings together servicemembers and their communities to experience the healing and uniting power of the full spectrum of the arts. Its goal is to celebrate healing, wellness and uniting communities. A retired Air Force lieutenant colonel, Ms. Scott Johnson is a lead player in the Memorial’s newest exhibit, Summer with the Arts: Healing, Freedom, Family, which debuted May 20. The exhibit is the centerpiece of a summer of programs and activities revolving around healing, freedom and family. The work of some 200 artists – Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, Veterans and family members – are featured in this multi-discipline exhibit.

Also at the Memorial for Memorial Day commemorative activities is a special exhibit that pays tribute to the women who have served in Afghanistan and Iraq. “A New Generation of Warriors” speaks to the wartime experiences of these women through the memorabilia of 101st Airborne Division soldier CPL Jessica Ellis, who was killed in action on Mother’s Day, May 11, 2008, in Baghdad, Iraq. In addition is the special In-Memoriam Book located in the Memorial’s gallery. The book, a living memorial that is updated as necessary, includes the picture, awards and decorations and biographical information of the now 174 military women who have lost their lives in these wars. The special exhibit, “The Changing Face of Courage”, a collection of stunning watercolor paintings by artist Dave Rappaport is also at the Memorial. Each painting features a contemporary military woman doing her job. All exhibits and activities are free and open to the public.

The Military Women’s Memorial, located at the gateway to Arlington National Cemetery, is readily accessible by Metro (Blue Line) and paid parking is available in the Arlington National Cemetery Parking Garage.

The Military Women’s Memorial is the nation’s only major memorial honoring all servicewomen, past and present. Featuring an exhibit gallery, theater and Register of women who have served, the Memorial is open to the public, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., daily.