HONORING THE FALLEN

What better place, this Memorial Day, than The National World War I
Museum at Liberty Memorial (100 West 26th Street, 816-784-1918) to
honor those who made sacrifices for us? Today’s events kick off
outdoors at 9:30 a.m. with the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony,
including a color-guard parade, music by the American Legion Band, a
Walk of Honor dedication, and a keynote address by Iraq War veteran Lt.
Col. John L. “Lanier” Ward. The museum opens immediately following the
ceremony. The Military Vehicle Preservation Association will display
vintage transports from World War II, Korea and Vietnam on the
southeast lawn. At 1 p.m., in the J.C. Nichols Auditorium, historians
Chad Williams of Hamilton College and Pellom McDaniels of UMKC present
a free panel discussion titled “The Relevance and Importance of
African-Americans in World War I.” Finally, at 7 p.m., Turner Classic
Movies host Robert Osborne welcomes Vice President of Museum Programs
Eli Paul, who will discuss the museum and help introduce four classic
World War I movies: Sergeant York (1941), The Dawn Patrol
(1938), The Fighting 69th (1940) and The Big Parade
(1925). For museum admission prices and information on free parking and
shuttle service, see theworldwar.org.

Mon., May 25, 9:30 a.m., 2009