WASHINGTON—Thousands of Americans descended on Washington on May 27 to watch the American Veterans Center’s 2024 National Memorial Day Parade.
Despite overcast conditions interspersed with a light drizzle, the parade began as planned at about 2 p.m. local time.
The parade was hosted by actor Anthony Anderson and comedian Drew Carey and featured a musical performance by country artist Brian Kelley.
The guests of honor for the event were World War II veterans.
These veterans, some showing the scars of their time in combat, were honored with reserved seating at the head of the event.
The event honored U.S. veterans throughout the country’s history, ranging from the Sons of the American Revolution to veterans of Operations Desert Storm and Desert Shield in Iraq. Veterans of the Republic of China, otherwise known as Taiwan, and veterans of the former Republic of Vietnam, who fought against communism during the Vietnam War, were also honored.
High school marching bands from across the United States also came to honor veterans, with many playing patriotic tunes and melodies.
The event also featured a series of high-profile special guests, most notably actor Gary Sinise, who sponsored a float, “Criminal Minds” actor Joe Mantegna, and “Breaking Bad” actor Bryan Cranston.
Thousands of Americans came out to watch and participate in the parade, the second such parade to be held in Washington since the parade was restarted last year after a pause because of COVID-19.
One of them was David Vandenbrink, who participated in the parade.
Mr. Vandenbrink said that for him, it was about honoring both his son and the sailors whom he himself served with on an aircraft carrier during the Vietnam War.
“The meaning of the day is to celebrate our fallen heroes that served our nation and the cause to defend our freedoms,” he told NTD, The Epoch Times’ sister media outlet.
“And, to me personally, I recognize my son who served many missions in the United States Air Force, and he is now passed, and we’re here to celebrate and honor him, as well as all the soldiers and sailors that I was with on my aircraft carrier in Vietnam.”
Asked about his experience in Vietnam, Mr. Vandenbrink was gracious about the thanks that he had received since arriving for his visit to Washington.
“This visit to Washington, I’ve had two people see my veteran’s hat and say, ‘Welcome home,’” he said. “And that is something I never heard when I came back 50 years ago. And that was very emotional for me.”
Hannah Luppino, vice president of programs for the Gary Sinise Foundation—which sponsored a float in the parade—also discussed the day with NTD.
“We are super excited to be here to honor our families of fallen military,” she said. “We’re here because everyday for these guys is Memorial Day. And so for them, they’re just honored to be here in D.C. with us for this weekend.”
Asked what Memorial Day meant for her personally, Ms. Luppino said: “There’s no place I'd rather be than here in D.C. with all of these families of the fallen. They do this every day. They feel this pain and this heartbreak every day. And so for us to be here and walk alongside them and truly honor and remember their fallen hero ... we want to say their names and remember who they were and the sacrifice that they made.”
Congressional leaders also paid their respects in statements.
The sentiment was echoed by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.).
