We are bringing back the IAS tradition (started by past IAS President Tom Porter) of laying a wreath in honor of Irish-born and Irish American patriots who died in military service to the United States of America. Instead of driving all the way to the Viet Nam Wall in Washington, D.C. like we used to do, we are now going to support the local MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY to honor those U.S. armed forces service members who “gave their all”.
Monday, May 29, 2023 At 11:30 AM Tidewater Veterans Memorial Park Jefferson Ave, Virginia Beach, VA 23451
It is being held across from the VB Convention Center at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial and is being organized by the VB government with local veterans. Many thanks to Patti Opera for making this suggestion and doing the legwork for us with her contact at VB gov. She says that this year they have reserved parking which is just past the big new Virginia Beach Sports Center on 19th Street on the left.
Active duty members and vets in the IAS should wear whatever they think appropriate. We hope to have at least one and possibly more of our OG IAS Honor Guard members there in kilts. Patti suggests that IAS Princesses and other IAS honorees wear their sashes if they so desire. I suggest that we all wear plenty of sunscreen, sunglasses, and appropriate hats because we will probably be in direct mid-day sun. IAS pins would be appropriate.
The program is starting at 12 noon sharp, so an 11:30 am ATL arrival time is suggested so as not to be late for this solemn occasion. There will be a 21-gun salute, an invocation, music by the U.S.A.F. Heritage Brass band, the national anthem, reading of a proclamation by VB Mayor Bobby Dyer, and a keynote address by Command Sergeant Major Daniel T. Hendrex, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis.
After the speeches, they will call the organizations by name, and we will walk across the street with the IAS wreath as a group and put it in position.
At the conclusion of the ceremony, it would be nice if we got a group photo before dispersing.
