Memorial Day ceremony in VB on Monday

By Stacy Parker
The Virginian-Pilot
© May 28, 2010

VIRGINIA BEACH

Veterans will be honored at Virginia Beach’s Tidewater Veterans Memorial Monday during the 2010 Memorial Day Ceremony.

The free event will begin at 11:50 a.m., and citizens are invited to arrive early to place an American flag, which will be provided at the site, around the base of the memorial.

“Come early and pick up a flag and honor a loved one lost or a friend,” said retired U.S. Army Col. Floyd Gilbert, master of ceremonies.

The flags will remain in place until the following Monday.

More than 600 people attended last year’s event. Tidewater Veterans Memorial is on 19th Street, across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

U.S. Rep. Glenn Nye, D-Virginia Beach, will be the keynote speaker this year. Nye is a former Foreign Service officer who served in Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. He is on the House Armed Services and the House Veterans Affairs Committees.

The Laying of the Wreaths will take place after the keynote speaker’s remarks. A flyover featuring military and World War II aircraft is scheduled, weather permitting.

A brief ceremony will then be held in the William L. “Billy” Myers Sr. Veterans Memorial Park to recognize veterans whose names were recently inscribed on brick pavers. The park is behind the Tidewater Veterans Memorial.

The Mayor’s Veterans Committee sponsors the Memorial Day ceremony each year to honor the men and women who gave their all for their country and their families, said Gilbert, committee vice president and a Kempsville resident.

“In so doing, we will also honor others, including active duty members of the Armed Forces, for their honorable service to this great country,” Gilbert said, “plus recognize members of Veterans organizations from the Hampton Roads area who also honorably served their country.

“We encourage all to set aside this Memorial Day and join others at the 19th Street Memorial for this annual important event.”

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Thank You

Submitted by vbsteel on Fri, 05/28/2010 at 11:44 am.

I would like to give my thanks to all who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country. And also thanks to all who have and are still serving our great nation. God bless America home of the free and brave.

Thanks and regret

Submitted by concernedvb on Sat, 05/29/2010 at 10:42 am.

Thank you to all veterans for your service. In some cases, you have made the ultimate sacrifice. I wish this year's keynote speaker had honored the inputs of our surveyed active duty military and not voted in favor of repealing " Don't ask don't tell" until the military's study was completed.