The American Veterans Center announces the 12th Annual National Memorial Day parade, in partnership with Helping A Hero, is slated to take place on Monday, May 30 at 2 p.m. ET along Constitution Avenue in our nation’s capital. The parade marks the largest Memorial Day event in the nation, drawing several hundred thousand spectators to line the streets and millions of at-home viewers. Scheduled to perform as part of the musical line-up, is multi-platinum selling country music star John Michael Montgomery, known for numerous No. 1 hits and his poignant salute to soldiers, “Letters From Home.”
Montgomery will give a moving performance of the song, hailed as one of the most moving tributes to the connection between soldiers and their families ever recorded, live before a crowd of veterans and their families, as the parade represents a moving timeline of American military history saluting our nation’s fallen heroes from the Revolutionary War to present-day. The entire event – which marks the largest Memorial Day celebration in the nation – will be broadcasted nationally on REELZ Channel, American Forces Network and online at Military.com.
Representing our nation’s most recent war – the War on Terror, a stand-out house-shaped float will be featured in the parade’s grand finale honoring veterans of Helping A Hero, 501(c)(3) non-profit and Better Business Bureau accredited organization, which builds specially-adapted homes for wounded veterans. Having awarded over 100 homes in 22 states for severely injured soldiers and their families, Helping A Hero is the third largest organization in that nation for this cause. Veterans to be recognized aboard the float include SSG Shilo Harris, CPL Rob Engelbrecht, SGT Daniel Cowart, EM1 (NUC) Jeff Campbell, USN, SGT Dennis Leonard, HM3 Jennifer Penn, CPL Matt Deatherage, SGT Jackie Rodriguez, SPC Russ Rodriguez, Jonathon Mullen and PFD Kenny Adams – all home recipients of Helping A Hero.
The 12th Annual National Memorial Day Parade will recognize the 75th anniversary of America’s entry into World War II, and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. In honor of the 25th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, a special tribute will be made to veterans of the Gulf War as hundreds reunite in what will be the largest reunion of those who served in the war since its end in 1991. Additionally, the parade will recognize the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. More than 1,000 active duty military personnel will participate.
The National Memorial Day Parade will commence at the corner of Constitution Avenue and 7th Street, NW. It will proceed west down Constitution, ending just past the White House and the National World War II Memorial at 17th street. Participants will pass by the nation’s monuments, memorials, museums, and be greeted by hundreds of thousands of spectators waving their flags and cheering for our country’s heroes – all in honor of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Embodying their motto, “Empowering Wounded Heroes, One Home at a Time,” Helping A Hero helps military personnel who have been severely injured in duty by providing veterans with homes. Since their founding in 2006, Helping A Hero’s Wounded Warrior Home Program has awarded 100 homes in 22 states to deserving heroes, making them the second largest national organization that builds homes for wounded veterans and their families. Utilizing donations from homebuilders, developers and the community Helping A Hero is able to supply unique, specially-adapted homes to veterans missing limbs, paraplegics, quadriplegics, severe burn or TBI victims, and those with other mental and physical challenges due to their service in Operation Enduring Freedom/Iraqi Freedom at a deeply discounted price. Helping A Hero offers much more than just a home giveaway. Committed to helping those who have been wounded on their road to recovery, the organization helps veterans transition successfully into their local communities and provides the tools they need to succeed in life and become as independent as possible. Helping A Hero also provides additional support programs such as marriage retreats, caregiver retreats, recreational activities, emotional support and financial support. For more information or to donate, please visit www.helpingahero.org.
For more information on John Michael Montgomery, please visit www.johnmichael.com.
