Tidewater Veterans Memorial Day Ceremony Set for Monday, May 29, 2023

Update: Due to impending inclement weather forecasted for Monday, May 29, the ceremony will be held inside at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

Join Mayor Robert M. "Bobby" Dyer and the Mayor's Committee for Veterans as they host the annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 29, at noon at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, 1000 19^th St., across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center.

This annual event is held to honor and pay tribute to the men and women of the armed forces "who gave their all." As part of the opening ceremony, the Virginia Beach Police Department's Honor Guard Unit-Rifle Team will provide a 21-Gun Salute, followed by the invocation given by Chaplain David Yemington, Vietnam Veterans of America, and Virginia Beach Chapter 969. Music will be provided by the United States Air Force Heritage Brass, and the National Anthem and "God Bless America" will be performed by Tony Zontini of Virginia Beach.

Following opening remarks by Senior Military Reporter Mike Gooding, Mayor Dyer will read a proclamation and give recognition of the 50^th Anniversary of Operation Homecoming (Return of Vietnam POWs to America) followed by Command Sergeant Major Daniel T. Hendrex, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, who will provide the keynote address.

CSM Hendrex assumed responsibilities as command sergeant major (CSM) for the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Eustis, Virginia, on Sept. 2, 2020. Prior to his arrival to Fort Eustis, he served as the CSM, U.S. Army CENTCOM CJTF OIR, for Iraq. CSM Hendrex held such prestigious positions as the CSM, III Corps, Fort Hood, Texas, and CSM, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia, and multiple positions of leadership at the command level throughout his career.

Military commands and organizations are invited to bring wreaths to place at the memorial during the formal ceremony on behalf of their command. The public is also invited to attend. Citizens who would like to place an American flag (provided) around the base of the memorial to honor a relative or friend are encouraged to arrive prior to the commencement of the formal ceremony. The flags will remain in place for one week.

For additional information, please contact Barbara A. Morrison, at (757) 572-2053 or bamorris@vbgov.com.