With the coronavirus pandemic still a threat, this year's Memorial Day holiday will look different than before, as cities across the United States host ceremonies on virtual platforms to maintain the tradition of commemorating fallen service members.Many cities across the country, such as Woodland Park, New Jersey; and San Clemente, California, have said they will honor military heroes and law enforcement officers with virtual Memorial Day ceremonies.“Honoring our fallen heroes will always be a priority,” reads a statement from the City of Woodland Park.Officials from both cities argued fear of spreading the coronavirus in large public gatherings their decision to transition events online.Other cities like Antigo, Wisconsin, will hold a Memorial Day parade, but called for safety precautions like face masks and social distancing.Organizers of large national celebrations and ceremonies have also decided to hold their events remote, forgoing live audiences.The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Memorial Day concert, traditionally held live on the West Lawn of the US Capitol, is just one of many great concerts that is changing its format due to the COVID-19 pandemic."In these unprecedented times, when the nation needs it most, we will unite Americans as a family to honor our heroes," said executive producer Michael Colbert. "This has been the mission of the Memorial Day Concert for 30 years, and we look forward to sharing stories and music of support, hope, resistance and patriotism."The Memorial Day concert will be broadcast on pbs.org, YouTube and Facebook.Similarly, instead of hosting a Memorial Day celebration at the Vietnam War Heroes Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will hold a live broadcast on Monday.The organization is also encouraging those attending the ceremony to share who they will be remembering this Memorial Day by writing a personal message or recording a video on the fund's website.This Memorial Day, the American Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, IAVA, will hold their annual moment of silence to commemorate and honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty."Any loss of a service member is a tragedy, but the loss of a veteran to suicide is not just a tragedy, it is completely avoidable," said Jeremy Butler, CEO of the US Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. “The pandemic has increased the overall mental health challenges, making COVID-19 a recipe for disaster for our veterans. This Memorial Day, we ask Americans to be silent in honor of those we have already lost and stand with us to protect those who have sacrificed so much to protect us. "Memorial Day is one of the first holidays to be observed during the coronavirus pandemic, setting a precedent for what to expect for future festivities that will take place during the crisis.
With the coronavirus pandemic still a threat, this year's Memorial Day holiday will look different than before, as cities across the United States host ceremonies on virtual platforms to maintain the tradition of commemorating fallen service members.Many cities across the country, such as Woodland Park, New Jersey; and San Clemente, California, have said they will honor military heroes and law enforcement officers with virtual Memorial Day ceremonies.“Honoring our fallen heroes will always be a priority,” reads a statement from the City of Woodland Park.Officials from both cities argued fear of spreading the coronavirus in large public gatherings their decision to transition events online.Other cities like Antigo, Wisconsin, will hold a Memorial Day parade, but called for safety precautions like face masks and social distancing.Organizers of large national celebrations and ceremonies have also decided to hold their events remote, forgoing live audiences.The Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Memorial Day concert, traditionally held live on the West Lawn of the US Capitol, is just one of many great concerts that is changing its format due to the COVID-19 pandemic."In these unprecedented times, when the nation needs it most, we will unite Americans as a family to honor our heroes," said executive producer Michael Colbert. "This has been the mission of the Memorial Day Concert for 30 years, and we look forward to sharing stories and music of support, hope, resistance and patriotism."The Memorial Day concert will be broadcast on pbs.org, YouTube and Facebook.Similarly, instead of hosting a Memorial Day celebration at the Vietnam War Heroes Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will hold a live broadcast on Monday.The organization is also encouraging those attending the ceremony to share who they will be remembering this Memorial Day by writing a personal message or recording a video on the fund's website.This Memorial Day, the American Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, IAVA, will hold their annual moment of silence to commemorate and honor those who lost their lives in the line of duty."Any loss of a service member is a tragedy, but the loss of a veteran to suicide is not just a tragedy, it is completely avoidable," said Jeremy Butler, CEO of the US Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan. “The pandemic has increased the overall mental health challenges, making COVID-19 a recipe for disaster for our veterans. This Memorial Day, we ask Americans to be silent in honor of those we have already lost and stand with us to protect those who have sacrificed so much to protect us. "Memorial Day is one of the first holidays to be observed during the coronavirus pandemic, setting a precedent for what to expect for future festivities that will take place during the crisis.