If Memorial Day Weekend activities are part of your plans for the coming three days, look no further than the National World War I Museum and Memorial. Often viewed as Kansas City’s “front porch” with its picturesque views of downtown, the Museum serves as a gathering place for the Kansas City community.
With special Memorial Day events taking place during the entire weekend, it’s a safe assumption that 2016 will allow the Museum to continue to hold that reputation.
This year, a Memorial Day Ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on Monday, May 30. Included in the public program will be a keynote address from former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Kansas City native General (Ret.) Richard Myers. Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver and Kansas City Mayor Sly James will also be speaking, along with Kansas City baseball legend and Jackson County Executive Frank White.
From Saturday through Monday, take the opportunity to see a Vietnam era Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter that will be on display, provided by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243.
Other events throughout the weekend include a showcase of nearly 20 other vintage military vehicles and several kid-friendly offerings such as the Hands-on History program and a special Storytime session about how the poppy became used as a symbol of remembrance.
Admission to the Museum is FREE for veterans and active duty military personnel, and half-price for the general public all weekend May 27-30.
Memorial Day is a time to honor and remember those who died while serving the United States, as well as a time for communities to come together. The National World War I Museum and Memorial serves as an ideal destination in Kansas City to do both throughout the entire weekend.
For an entire overview of Memorial Day Weekend events at the Museum, please visit theworldwar.org/memorialday.
–Matthew Maxon
