Veterans
Memorial Day events, parade return to Washington, DC
Stars and Stripes
May 30, 2022
Staff Sgt. Andrew Boylan of the U.S. Army Band plays taps during a Memorial Day ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
WASHINGTON — Veterans, service members, family members, officials and celebrities gathered in the nation’s capital on Monday, Memorial Day, to commemorate military members who sacrificed their lives for their country.
World War II Merchant Marine veteran Dave Yoho, left, and Gold Star Family member Robert H. Meek Jr., right, prepare to place a wreath during a Memorial Day ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, May 30, 2022. Meek’s father, a B-25 crew member, was killed on a mission over Italy in October 1944. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Vietnam veteran William Woodier is overcome with emotion during a Memorial Day visit to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington on Monday, May 30, 2022. Woodier, who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, was remembering several friends who died in or as a result of the war, including boyhood friend David Kreis. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The Armed Forces Color Guard from the Military District of Washington marches into a Memorial Day ceremony at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
This included the return of the National Memorial Day Parade for the first time since 2019, after the coronavirus pandemic canceled in-person events in 2020 and 2021.
Earlier in the day, Friends of the National World War II Memorial hosted a wreath-laying ceremony at which 94-year-old Dave Yoho spoke of the sacrifices of his fellow Merchant Marine veterans, 9,521 of whom died in World War II.
National Memorial Day Parade grand marshal Lt. Col. James H. Harvey, III rides along the parade route in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the National World War II Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
World War II Merchant Marine veteran Dave Yoho speaks on Memorial Day at the National World War II Memorial in Washington,. D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The Eli Yound Band performs before the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski, Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski, Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day tributes at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski, Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
The National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Actor Gary Sinise waves to the crowd during the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski, Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the National World War II Memorial in Washington,. D.C. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)
Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., Monday, May 30, 2022. (Joe Gromelski/Special to Stars and Stripes)