News Release

Andersonville National Historic Site Hosting In-Person Memorial Day Weekend Events After Two Year Hiatus

Small American flags are placed in front of more than 21,000 graves during Memorial Day weekend at Andersonville NHS.

NPS

News Release Date: May 11, 2022

Contact: Charles Barr, 229-924-0343 ext:112

Andersonville, GA –Andersonville National Historic Site will commemorate Memorial Day beginning on Saturday, May 28 and concluding on Monday, May 30, 2022. Lt. Col. James Wolfe, USAF (ret.), commander of the American Legion Post #3, in Americus, Georgia, will serve as keynote speaker at the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony.

Memorial Day service activities at the park begin on Friday, May 20, when volunteers from Rolling Thunder, Chapter 3, and park staff, will raise the Avenue of Flags. This event lines the cemetery roads with over 200 full-sized American flags and the National Prisoner of War Museum parking area with all 50 state flags.

On Saturday, May 28, hundreds of scouts, and other volunteers will add to the patriotic atmosphere by placing small American flags on more than 21,000 gravesites in Andersonville National Cemetery. The dramatic and moving display of thousands of veterans’ graves decorated with American flags, set against a backdrop of the Avenue of Flags, will create a powerful and patriotic setting for visitors.

On Sunday, May 29, the Memorial Day Observance Ceremony will be held in Andersonville National Cemetery. The U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence band will perform beginning at 1:30 p.m. and the formal program will begin at 2:00 p.m. The ceremony will feature keynote speaker retired Air Force Lt. Col. James Wolfe and wreath presentations will be conducted by several military, civic, and patriotic organizations.

On Monday, May 30, the Knights of Columbus will hold a special mass in the cemetery at 11:00 a.m. The public is invited to attend.

“Memorial Day presents an opportunity to remember the military men and women who have sacrificed so much for our country,” said Park Superintendent Gia Wagner. “Many have paid the highest price in service to our nation. It is our great privilege to pay tribute to them, particularly those resting here at Andersonville National Cemetery.”

Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA, and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA, on Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery, and the site of the historic Civil War prison, Camp Sumter. Andersonville National Historic Ste is the only national park within the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war.

Park grounds are open from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. with the museum open from 9:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Admission is free. For more information on the park, call 229-924-0343, visit the park’s website at www.nps.gov/ande or find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AndersonvilleNPS or Instagram account at @AndersonvilleNPS.www.nps.gov

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