AMERICAN VETERANS CENTER RESPONDS TO COVID-19 IMPACT ON THE 2020 NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY PARADE

The following is a joint statement prepared by American Veterans Center (AVC) President Jim Roberts and Senior Vice President & Executive Director Tim Holbert:

The American Veterans Center has closely monitored the developing COVID-19 pandemic and, after great deliberation and consultation with our partners in the private and public sectors, we have decided to cancel the 2020 National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, DC. It has been our great honor to revive the tradition of the National Memorial Day Parade along Constitution Avenue these last fifteen years, and we will look forward to the parade’s return next year as we continue to honor the service and sacrifice of our military men and women.

Our first priority must be the health and safety of the thousands of participants and the hundreds of thousands of spectators who attend the parade annually. With the CDC’s recommendation to limit public gatherings into the month of May and the uncertainty beyond, we feel it is important to make this difficult decision at this time. However, the parade will live on in a pre-recorded television special titled, The National Memorial Day Parade: America Stands Tall​, that will broadcast on Memorial Day to more than 100 million households on ABC, CBS, NBC, and Fox stations nationwide.

Just as we salute the sacrifice of our uniformed men and women of previous generations, we applaud the current sacrifices being made by our nurses, doctors, grocery and pharmacy workers, and truckers, who are on the front lines of the fight against COVID-19. We hope the National Memorial Day Parade: America Stands Tall broadcast will serve as a reminder of America’s resolve during difficult times. Though we will not gather in person, we encourage you to tune in and watch this holiday television special, as we honor the very best qualities that we all share as Americans – qualities that remain timeless and have united us through all challenges that have stood in our way for nearly 250 years.

Be safe and take care of yourself and your loved ones. We look forward to seeing you along Constitution Avenue for the National Memorial Day Parade in 2021.

Stay tuned to ​www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com​ for further updates on the National Memorial Day Parade.

The spirit of the parade will live on in a very special original television program: The National Memorial Day Parade: America Stands Tall. Click here to learn how you can watch this special presentation.