Loyalty & patriotism will be on full display as the City joins the nation in honoring all who have given their lives in military service at its Memorial Day Observance on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, at 11 a.m. at Christman Park. The public is invited to join the Mayor & City Council, Junior Mayor Milly Abdo, City staff and honored guests in a tribute to those of all generations who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.
Joining the May 30 observance is guest speaker retired Army Lt. Col. Larry D. Williams. Williams is a trial attorney, a member of the U.S. Supreme Court, Supreme Court of Virginia, and the Armed Forces Court of Appeals. He has been a guest lecturer at the FBI Academy, and has published articles in the “American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology.”
The patriotic ceremony will include words and music to commemorate the occasion, followed by a solemn wreath-laying ceremony. The Cadet Color Guard of Gaithersburg High School will present the colors, Chloe Jackson, Catholic University of America sophomore, will perform the national anthem, and “Taps” will be played by Merli Banner of the Gaithersburg High School Band. At the event, guests will be invited to fill out a card and provide a 4×6 photograph for a Book of Tribute, honoring friends and family members who serve.
Christman Park, named for Lt. William J. Christman III, a Gaithersburg resident who was killed in Vietnam, is located at 304 West Deer Park Road in Gaithersburg. Groups or individuals interested in attending or participating in the Memorial Day Observance may contact the Department of Parks, Recreation & Culture.