Americans commemorated Memorial Day on Monday, some by taking in solemn, quiet moments at graves and others by proudly parading D.C.’s streets in a show of patriotism.
Despite the drizzle, thousands visited Arlington National Cemetery to pay their respects to the fallen Monday morning.
Families walked from the Metro to the visitor center of the cemetery. In some cases, people preferred to visit solo, alone with their thoughts.
“There’s some guys buried here from operations I was involved in,” said a veteran, his eyes welling.
He was 23 at the time.
“I was in the Air Force and the guys I’m coming to visit were from a community I was in,” he said. “Their aircraft crashed and they all died.”
Though it’s painful, he’s here to reconnect: “Appreciative of the time with them, and that I get to still continue to visit them.”
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For others, Memorial Day in the District means putting patriotism on full display with musicians, veterans and historical reenactors all marching in a parade.
The crowd lining Constitution Avenue for the 22nd annual National Memorial Day Parade came from around the region, the U.S. and the world.
For Nwakego and Ibrehim Pam of Nigeria, it was their first Memorial Day parade.
“It’s beautiful, honoring people who serve the country,” Ibrehim, a World Bank employee, said.
Nwakego was impressed by one veteran she saw in the parade — an amputee.
“And how he was so happy racing on the road shows commitment, it shows patriotism, it shows love for his country,” she said.
Another highlight for the couple: “We just saw Abraham Lincoln on one of the carriages,” Ibrehim said, laughing.
WTOP’s Neal Augenstein reported from Arlington National Cemetery and WTOP’s Tracy Johnke reported from Constitution Avenue.
