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Shiloh National Military Park hosting remembrance ceremony on Memorial Day

To officially commemorate Memorial Day, Shiloh Park is hosting remembrance ceremonies on Monday, May 29, at Shiloh National Cemetery, starting at 11 a.m.
“This annual Memorial Day event provides the opportunity to reflect upon all the personal sacrifices this nation’s military service personnel and their families have unselfishly made to protect our freedoms,” said Acting Shiloh National Military Park Superintendent Stacy Allen.
He added, “Everyone is invited to bring their lawn chairs or blankets and join us for one of the longest continually running Memorial Day services in West Tennessee.”
The ceremony features a military flag presentation, music by the Kossuth High School Jazz Band and Adamsville First Baptist Church Children’s Choir, a firing salute and the playing of Taps.
The event’s keynote speaker is Brig. Gen. Cassandra D. Howard, who serves as the assistant for Mobilization and Reserve Affairs.
Gen. Howard advises both the deputy assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Readiness Policy and Oversight, and the director for Defense Health Agency on Joint Reserve Component matters ensuring mission ready personnel.
Howard also provides oversight for the development of policies, plans and programs within the Department of Defense’s Military Health System ensuring medical readiness for Reserve Component military service members. Key areas of focus include force health protection, national disaster support, deployment medicine, international health, and medical research and development.
A medical doctor, Howard is a member of the Tennessee National Guard and as a traditional guardsman, she currently serves the civilian sector as Chief Medical Officer at Methodist University Hospital in Memphis.
Following the Memorial Day service, park rangers will be offering free guided programs and demonstrations in the afternoon.
In addition to Monday’s ceremony at the National Cemetery, Shiloh Park is hosting other special events and commemorative activities this Memorial Day weekend.
On  Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., living historians are presenting programs on the front lawn of the Visitor Center.
Weapons, uniforms and equipment from the Revolutionary War through World War II will be on display. The living historians will also be available to answer questions about what the military experiences of Americans was like through time.
There will also be live firing demonstrations of the various shoulder firearms used by American soldiers during the different wars at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. each day.
A full list of Memorial Day weekend activities will be available at the ranger contact station outside the Visitor Center adjacent to the National Cemetery.

 

 

 

 

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