Success Story

Memorial Day 2009
May 25

In observance of Memorial Day, IAVA Members from across the country gathered at events in New York, Chicago and Washington, D.C. to commemorate and honor the more than one million Americans who have died in military service for our country.

IAVA WALL of REMEMBRANCE

In honor of the fallen, more than 800 IAVA supporters texted notes of remembrance and engraved the names of loved ones on the virtual Wall of Remembrance. Text "Memorial" to 69866 or leave a note.

LOCAL EVENTS & CEREMONIES

• Rolling Thunder Rally - Washington, D.C.
• Wreath Laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Washington, D.C.
• Pledge Allegiance at The Wall - Washington, D.C.
• Fleet Week Five Borough Photo Hunt - New York City
• New Jersey Veterans Council Memorial Observance- Belleville, NJ
• Military Family Night at Wrigley Field - Chicago 

Steps from the Lincoln Memorial, IAVA's Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell gave the keynote address at Rolling Thunder, one of the largest and most important one day motorcycle events in the country to honor our nation's veterans.  Following Campbell's speech, Rolling Thunder Riders flew IAVA flags behind their motorcycles along the rally route through Washington, D.C. 

Across the Potomac, Afghanistan veteran and IAVA Board Member Wes Moore laid a Wreath on behalf of IAVA at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery.  Moore also represented IAVA at a special White House breakfast hosted by President Obama for the nation's Veteran Service Organizations.  

At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, IAVA Member Veteran Brian LaGuardia led friends and family in the Pledge of Allegiance at a special ceremony commemorating the more than 58,000 service members who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.

IAVA Member Veterans kicked off Memorial Day weekend in New York City with an interactive membership booth at the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum, and spearheaded IAVA's first annual NYC Five Borough Photo Hunt for U.S. sailors and Marines on leave for Fleet Week. 

 In New Jersey, IAVA Member Veteran Aubrey Arcangel joined New Jersey veterans and Congressman Bill Pascrell for the NJ Veterans Council's annual Memorial Day Observance in Belleville.

 In the midwest, IAVA Member Veterans and their families also gathered for a special "family night" at Chicago's famous Wrigley Field.

•  To read a special Memorial Day editorial from IAVA Executive Director Paul Rieckhoff, click here.
• Click here to listen to a WNYC interview with IAVA Member Veterans Kristen Rouse and Bryan Adams about the meaning of Memorial day.
• Watch a special CNN interview with IAVA's Chief Legislative Counsel Patrick Campbell calling on Americans to honor the fallen and help our nation's newest generation of veterans (above).

HISTORY: DID YOU KNOW?