Families United, the nation’s largest military family support organization, announced today the second annual Weekend of Remembrance honoring and celebrating America’s fallen Heroes from the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Weekend of Remembrance is the nation’s largest gathering of families of the Fallen and will take place on July 23 and 24 in Washington.
“This weekend allows families of our nation’s fallen Heroes to come together, honor their memory and celebrate their lives and service to our country,” said Families United’s Executive Director Brian Wise. “It is our goal that the service and sacrifice of these families, and the courage and heroism of their loved ones, will be forever honored and remembered. This event will remind the more than 2,000 Gold Star families expected to be in attendance, that they are not alone. They have others that share their loss, and they have a country that honors their sacrifice.”
The 2010 Weekend of Remembrance will kick-off with the National Gold Star Family Dinner on Friday evening, giving Gold Star families from across the country the chance to meet each other and share stories of their fallen loved-ones. Rita Cosby, television news anchor and correspondent, radio host, and author, will emcee the event and the evening’s keynote speaker will be Gen. James Cartwright, USMC, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Members of the Honorary Dinner Host Committee, including over 60 Members of the United States Senate and House of Representatives, will also be in attendance. Wayne Newton will headline the evening with a performance highlighting his support for the military since the days of Vietnam.
On Saturday, families participating in the 2010 Weekend of Remembrance will have the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery and take part in a wreath laying ceremony to pay respects to their loved ones and the thousands of other men and woman who have bravely served the country.
Following the wreath laying ceremony, the families, joined by active duty military and their families, veterans, wounded warriors and the general public, will take part in the American Heroes Festival at Six Flags America in Largo, Md.
In addition to enjoying a festival atmosphere that celebrates the service and sacrifice of our nation’s military Heroes and their families, all attending will enjoy a day of invited entertainers from a variety of music and performing genres. Headlining the American Heroes Festival are former active-duty Marine and country music performing artist Mike Corrado and country music great Aaron Tippen.
“This weekend is really about the families and their Heroes. It’s an opportunity to honor all those who have fallen in the line of duty, while also paying tribute to the family members left behind. They will also have the chance to celebrate the lives of their loved ones and the military in which they served,” continued Wise.
The Weekend of Remembrance is made possible in part by generous donations from corporate and private sponsors. A full list of supporters can be found at www.WeekendOfRemembrance.com.
To make a donation in support of Gold Star families attending the Week of Remembrance and learn more about the American Heroes Festival – including special ticket prices for the event – go to www.WeekendOfRemembrance.com.
About Families United for Our Troops and Their Mission:
Families United is a not-for-profit 501(c)(3) charitable organization whose mission is to Honor the Fallen, Support those who Fight, and Serve their Families through programs, events, and outreach. We are a national organization of Gold and Blue Star families—including many with loved ones in harm’s way—as well as veterans and Americans who share a deep appreciation for our men and women in uniform and support them in their mission to keep America safe. Together, we ensure that the sacrifices of our courageous military do not go unnoticed and that these men and women and their families receive the support they need and deserve.
For a list of the various programs that serve America’s troops, their families, and the families of the Fallen, please visit www.FamiliesUnitedUSA.org.
About Six Flags:
Six Flags Entertainment Corporation is a publicly-traded corporation headquartered in New York City and is the world’s largest regional theme park company with 19 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada.