Honor, remember all those who fought for us, paid the ultimate sacrifice: U.S. military ID may allow free entry to some happenings
Kristi K. HigginsPetersburg Progress-Index
TRI-CITIES — Looking for a Memorial Day event to attend? Gather with others over the holiday weekend to honor the courageous women and men who sacrificed their lives in service to our country to protect our freedom. Events in our readership area take place today through Monday, May 27.
Kings Dominion will host Military Days during Memorial Day Weekend with special performances from the 380th Army Band. On May 24 - 27, all active and retired members of the military, including National Guard, Reserves and veterans, will receive a free, single-day ticket. As a small way to thank members of the military for their service, they may also receive a special discount on ticket prices when purchasing tickets for up to six friends and family members.
Members of the military will need to present a valid U.S. military ID at the front gate turnstiles for entry. Additional tickets must be purchased online in advance. More information and ticket purchases can be made at kingsdominion.com.
Festivities for the day include celebrating with members of the 380th Army Band. The band will be perform for guests at the front gate at 11 a.m. and will also have a feature show on the Grand Bandstand at 1 p.m. Kings Dominion is located at 16000 Theme Park Way in Doswell.
Memorial Day events: May 26 - 27
Chesterfield
On Sunday, May 26 from 2 - 3 p.m., the Chesterfield County Memorial Day program will take place at the Chesterfield County Fairgrounds in the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Building. The program will honor military personnel who died in the service of their country.
The theme of this year's program will be the history and establishment of the Purple Heart. It will include presentation of wreaths, color guard, a guest speaker, musical performances and exhibitors. The Fairgrounds are located at 10300 Courthouse Road in Chesterfield. Visit chesterfield.gov for more information.
Petersburg
Visit Pamplin Historical Park on Monday, May 27 for the Memorial Day remembrance event from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Active-duty military members with a valid ID receive free admission on Memorial Day.
The program will begin with a Civil War soldiers’ camp life and drill presentation by Park staff. Visitors are then invited to hear perspectives on Memorial Day from a present, active-duty military member from Fort Gregg-Adams. A special ceremony will start with the presentation of colors, followed by remarks from Colin Romanick, the Park’s Executive Director, and a cannon fire salute followed by the playing of TAPS.
Activities will include a special temporary art display to honor America's military as well as a presentation by artist Henry Kidd. He will speak about his stretcher art where he uses original stretchers as his artistic canvases. The vivid colors and detailed scenes of Kidd’s work, portrays the various aspects of soldiers’ lives from combat and drill to convalescence.
In the afternoon, Bill Stallings will present a program titled "Music that Moves the Military" where he shares the importance of military music, on the parade ground and in battle.
Explore Pamplin Historical Park at 6125 Boydton Plank Road in Petersburg. The Park is open May 25 through 27 and the special programming will take place on Memorial Day only. Visit pamplinpark.org for more information including the cost of admission.
Petersburg National Battlefield invites the public to attend a Memorial Day ceremony at Poplar Grove National Cemetery on Monday, May 27 at 1 p.m. The program will explore the origins of Memorial Day and national cemeteries and their links to the Civil War through readings of period letters, speeches and proclamations. Visitors will then be provided with fresh flowers to decorate soldiers’ graves.
No parking will be allowed at Poplar Grove National Cemetery due to space limitations. Visitors may park at Richard Bland College at 11301 Johnson Road in Prince George where a free shuttle will provide transportation to and from the cemetery. The first shuttle will depart at 12 p.m. and will make continuous round trips to the cemetery with the last shuttle departing Poplar Grove at 12:45 p.m. Shuttles will resume to return visitors to Richard Bland College starting at 2 p.m. with the final bus leaving at 3 p.m.
If this event is canceled due to forecasted inclement weather, the public will be notified through the park’s official website at nps.gov/pete and social media @PetersburgNPS on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube. For more information, call 804-732-3531, ext. 305.
Richmond
At 2 p.m. on Memorial Day, visit the Virginia War Memorial at 621 S. Belvidere Street in Richmond to hear the wonderful and patriotic music of the Richmond Cadet Alumni Band and Friends. The Shrine of Memory: 20th Century will serve as the backdrop. All are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to enjoy the free concert.
Colonial Heights
A Memorial Day program sponsored and hosted by American Legion Post 284 and VFW Post 2239 will be held on Monday, May 27 at 10 a.m. This event will be held on the Boulevard at the City's War Memorial located directly across from the Courthouse. In the case of inclement weather, the event will be moved to the American Legion Post 284 located at 505 Springdale Avenue. A light lunch will follow the ceremony at the Legion.
Prince George
On Monday, May 27, the community is invited to Prince George County's Memorial Day Commemoration at Prince George County Regional Heritage Center. The Annual Wreath Laying Ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. Prince George native Lt. Col. Jeff Bolander, USMC (Ret.), will be the keynote speaker.
Families of the fallen are encouraged to attend for special recognition. The program will last 45 - 60 minutes. The Museum will remain open until 1 p.m., and attendees are encouraged to visit the County’s traditional Memorial Day exhibit dedicated to the fallen from all conflicts.
Scouts from Troops 900 and 360, members of American Legion 1703 and representatives of the Prince George County Board of Supervisors will also be in attendance to mark this special day. To learn more about the event as well as Lt. Col. Bolander, visit pgcrhc.org. Prince George County Regional Heritage Center is located at 6406 Courthouse Road in Prince George.
Prince George/Hopewell
All are invited to attend a Memorial Day event at Merchants Hope Memorial Gardens at 11302 Merchants Hope Road in Prince George on Monday, May 27. Rain or shine, VFW Post 637 of Hopewell will host the ceremony which begins at 10 a.m. If it rains, they plan to host it at 1400 Lynchburg Street in Hopewell. Follow VFW POST 637 Hopewell VA on Facebook for updates.
If Mother Nature decides to refrain from rain, Brekkie Waffles food truck will be on site to sell Belgian-style waffles.
"Bring your kids, grandkids and other family members to meet our dedicated staff and discover the beauty of our Gardens and Mausoleum. We're honored to host the VFW Post 637 Hopewell who have chosen our beautiful gardens for their Memorial Day event," Tabitha Abel, Administrator/Family Service Counselor with Merchants Hope, said. "Weather permitting, we invite you to explore our serene grounds. We'll be holding a raffle with fantastic prizes. Homemade trinkets and memorial items will also be available for purchase."
After the ceremony, a lunch will be provided in VFW POST 637's Great Hall. From 1 - 4 p.m., members and their guests, may listen to Dave Dixon play 90s, early 2000s rock and pop in the Clubroom.
"Our Merchants Hope family eagerly anticipates your presence at this Memorial Day event," Abel said. "We look forward to sharing this meaningful occasion with you to honor and remember all those who have fought for us and paid the ultimate sacrifice."
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Kristi K. Higgins aka The Social Butterfly, an award-winning columnist, is the trending topics and food Q&A reporter at The Progress-Index voted the 2022 Tri-Cities Best of the Best Social Media Personality. Have a news tip on local trends or businesses? Contact Kristi (she, her) at khiggins@progress-index.com, follow@KHiggins_PIon X and @socialbutterflykristion Instagram.
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