Memorial Day events
Memorial Day in Leavenworth:
May 20, 2020
Because of the worldwide pandemic and advice from medical experts, here is what is happening Memorial Day and week in Leavenworth:
- Trash is still being collected. It will be delayed one day throughout the week.
- Wollman Aquatic Center will not be open. The Riverfront Community Center remains closed.
- City offices remain closed.
Fort Leavenworth:
Fort Leavenworth will conduct a private Memorial Day ceremony. The ceremony is closed to the public. No traffic will be allowed in the area of the Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery Memorial Day morning. Patrons wishing to visit grave sites are encouraged to do so on Saturday or Sunday. Volunteer groups will not place flags at gravesites, only flags lining the cemetery roads will be placed by cemetery employees.
A note from the two VA Cemeteries, Leavenworth National Cemetery and Fort Leavenworth National Cemeteries, on safety:
WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced it will commemorate Memorial Day this year with solemn wreath laying ceremonies. Another offering is a new online memorial feature allowing the public to pay tribute to Veterans interred in VA national cemeteries across the country.
“This year, by necessity, will be different from past Memorial Day observances,” said VA Secretary Robert Wilkie. “While the department can’t hold large public ceremonies, VA will still honor Veterans and service members with the solemn dignity and respect they have earned through their service and sacrifice.”
Each VA national cemetery will conduct a brief wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by a moment of silence and the playing of Taps. In keeping with CDC guidelines to limit large gatherings, the ceremonies will not be open to the public.
Secretary Wilkie will preside over the wreath laying at Quantico National Cemetery in Virginia on Memorial Day. Acting Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Pamela Powers will do the same at Culpeper National Cemetery in Virginia, while Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves will lay a wreath at Riverside National Cemetery in California Friday, May 22, and at Calverton National Cemetery in New York on Memorial Day. Live streaming, recorded video and photographs from these and other ceremonies will be shared on NCA’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
Other public events typically associated with Memorial Day at national cemeteries, including group placement of flags at gravesites, will not take place. However, all VA national cemeteries will be open Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk for public visitation.
Cemetery visitors are asked to adhere to health and safety guidelines and maintain physical distancing while visiting. Visitors are also urged to consider visiting Friday, Saturday or Sunday to avoid possible crowds on Memorial Day. Families may continue the tradition of placing
flowers and small American flags at their Veteran’s gravesite.
