Dedication Plans Take Shape (NAPSA)—America’s World WarII veterans have waited 58 years for a national memorial commemorating their service and sacrifice. Their wait is nearly over. The American Battle Monuments Commission has announced that the National World WarII Memorial will be dedicated in enna May29, 2004. Dedication of long-awaited memorial finally drawing near. Washington, D.C., on Saturday, The Memorial Day weekend celebration on the National Mall will culminate an 11-year effort to honor America’s World WarII gen- eration. The memorial was authorized by Congress in 1993. Construction began in September 2001 after several years of fund raising and public hearings on the site and design. ABMC expects construction to be com- pleted in March 2004. Two months later, the Smithsonian Institution, the Washington National Cathedral and Armed Forces ceremonial and musical units will participate in a four-day Tribute to a Generation dedication celebration. Dedication Ceremony—The memorial will be formally dedicated on Saturday, May 29, at 2 p.m. Pre-ceremony entertainment will include live music, video images of the wartime era, and historical information about the memorial. The ceremony will acknowledge the service and sacrifice of the WWII generation, and recognize the addition of the memorial to the Mall area as an important part of the National Park System. WWII Reunion—The Smithsonian Institution will produce a ———EE — — National World War IT Reunion on the Mall. The four-day event (May 27-30) will provide a venue for members of the WWII generation to gather together, meet former comrades, record oral histories, and enjoy 1940s music and WWII equipmentdisplays. Veterans Salute—ABMCwill present a “Salute to WWII Veterans” at the MCI Center in downtown Washington, featuring Armed Forces personnel in a musical and narrative tribute to veterans. Three free performances are planned: afternoon matinee and evening shows on Friday, May 28, and an evening performance on Saturday, May 29. Memorial Service—Aninter- faith memorial service is set for Saturday, May 29, at 10 a.m. at the Washington National Cathedral. The service will celebrate the dedication of the memorial and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Specific arrangementsfor these and other activities associated with the dedication will be available on the memorial Web site www.wwiimemorial.com and tollfree number (1-800-639-4992) as they are confirmed.
