National Park Service - Memorial Day Cermony - Logan Circle

OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION News Release

May 16, 2008 For immediate release

THE NATIONAL PARK SERVICE HONORS MEMORIAL DAY FOUNDER WITH WREATH-LAYING CEREMONY

Washington, D.C.—The National Park Service, the Illinois State Society of Washington, DC and the Logan Circle Community Association will hold a wreath-laying ceremony Monday, May 26, 2008 at 2:00 p.m.

May 5th, 1868 marks the date when Congressman John A. Logan, serving as the Commander and Chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a fraternal veteran’s organization, issued General Order No. 11 establishing May 30^th as Memorial Day to honor fallen American war heroes.

The Brass Express will kick-off the event with a pre-program concert starting at 12:30 p.m., followed by, the Joint Armed Forces Honor Guard opening the ceremony with the posting of the colors at 2:00 p.m. The program will include special guest speaker Gary Ecelbarger, John A. Logan Biographer. The ceremony will conclude with a wreath laying ceremony followed by an open house and garden reception at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site.

This program is part of an ongoing series of public programs offered at the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site, to promote public understanding of the history and special places that have been included in the national park system. For more information call (202) 673-2402.

National Capital Parks-East (NCP-East) offers a wide array of historic, cultural and natural and recreational areas that are part of Washington, DC and its eastern environs. The park is comprised of over 8,000 acres of federal land, ranging from community parks and National Historic Sites to unique wetlands ecosystems, meadows and mature hardwood forests.

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