* Check out our calendar for more ideas  

As part of Military Appreciation Month, the National Constitution Center will pay tribute to the brave men and women who have given their lives in our nation's service during a special Memorial Day weekend commemoration. From Saturday, May 28 through Monday, May 30, 2011, visitors can participate in an array of FREE activities about the history of the Memorial Day holiday.

Throughout Memorial Day weekend, the Center will raise the American Flag in a special ceremony each morning. Guests are invited to join in this event to learn proper flag raising protocol. Visitors also can participate in a 20-minute, interactive program, “Memorials: How a Nation Remembers” each day at 10:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. Participants will learn about the history of monuments across the country, including Little Bighorn, the U.S.S. Arizona, and the Lincoln Memorial. Guests also can celebrate the second anniversary of the Pennsylvania Liberty Tree dedication. Visitors will hear the compelling story of this living memorial during an interactive presentation at 10:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m.

Children will love to hear how poppies came to be the symbol of Memorial Day following World War I. In honor of this tradition, families are invited to create memorial poppy pins and American star memorial wreaths at activity tables from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. And during “Patriotic Karaoke,” visitors can sing their favorite American anthems.

The Center’s core exhibition, The Story of We the People, also offers visitors the chance to learn about our nation’s involvement in wars and conflicts, and reflect on the service and heroism of American veterans. Guests can hear and read letters written by American soldiers from the Civil War to Vietnam, watch a video representation of uniforms from different wars throughout U.S. history, and view a display of flags from each branch of the armed services. In the World War II section of the exhibit, visitors can see a "blue star" flag, which families hung in their windows of their homes to show they had a family member in military service. Additionally, the Center’s award-winning theater performance, Freedom Rising, dramatizes the sacrifice of soldiers during the Revolutionary War, Civil War, and World War II, highlighting contributions that veterans have made in shaping our nation's history.


For more information: www.constitutioncenter.org

Location: National Constitution Center-525 Arch Street, Independence Mall
Philadelphia, PA 19106

This event is appropriate for:

Cost:

Crum Lynne
Area children are invited to decorate their bikes and assemble 9:30 a.m. on May 31st at the post. The best decorated bikes will receive an award.
Hot dogs and refreshments will be served in the post hall after the parade.

Springfield
Memorial Day parade will begin at Veterans Memorial Park at10 a.m. on Monday, May 31st

Media
On Monday May 31st at 10am on State Street in Media

Lower Merion
On Monday May 31st at 9:45 the parade will travel down Greenfield Avenue near the Merion Fire House and proceeds along Lancaster Avenue to Argyle Road and then to St. Paul's Cemetery

Eddystone
On Sunday, May 30th An Honor Guard and Rifle Salute at St. Michaels Cemetery in honor of F.A. Scott at 9:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. there will be church services at St. Mathews. At 12:30 p.m. our Honor Guard and a Rifle Salute will be held in Eddystone at the conclusion of their parade.

Fireworks

Swarthmore College
On the Main Lawn at Swarthmore College at 9:15 pm on Saturday May 29 (don’t forget your chairs)

Longwood Gardens
Sunday May 30th at 9:15 part of Longwood Fireworks and Fountains (you will need to purchase tickets for this event