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Andersonville National Historic Site News Release
Release Date: May 24, 2021
Contact: Jody Mays, jody_mays@nps.gov
NR21-03
Andersonville National Historic Site Memorial Day Activities
On-site Flag placement and Virtual Special Tributes to be Held
ANDERSONVILLE, Georgia – Andersonville National Historic Site will conduct limited on-site and virtual activities this year in honor of Memorial Day.
The Avenue of Flags has been raised with the help of Robins Riders. This patriotic display of over 200 full-sized American flags and all 50 state flags will be on display through June 2.
On Saturday, May 29 beginning at 9:00 a.m., Scouts, the Dixie Crows, and other volunteers will add to the commemorative atmosphere by placing small American flags on the over 21,000 graves in Andersonville National Cemetery. The sight of thousands of veterans’ graves decorated with American flags, with over 200 full-sized American flags lining the roads, will create a powerful and reverent visual tribute to our fallen military. Pre-registration for this activity is required, and groups will be assigned to specific areas to provide for social distancing.
On Sunday, May 30, several wreaths will be placed and displayed at the Rostrum in memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country. No public ceremony will be held.
On Monday, May 31, beginning at 10:00 a.m., Retired U.S. Marine Corps Colonel Dan Gillan will play “Amazing Grace” and other music on the bagpipes as he walks through the national cemetery. At 3:00 p.m., Retired U.S. Navy Mike Saliba will play Taps as part of the National Moment of Remembrance, when Taps is played simultaneously by buglers in national cemeteries across the country. Both activities may be viewed by the public and will be streamed live on the park’s Facebook page. No public ceremony will be held.
“Although we are not able to hold large public ceremonies on site due to pandemic conditions, we are pleased to resume the annual tradition of placing flags on the graves of those resting in honor here in Andersonville National Cemetery,” said Superintendent Gia Wagner. “We invite each of you to take a moment on Memorial Day to remember and honor those who have sacrificed so much to protect and preserve our nation.”
Andersonville National Historic Site is located 10 miles south of Oglethorpe, GA and 10 miles northeast of Americus, GA on Georgia Highway 49. The national park features the National Prisoner of War Museum, Andersonville National Cemetery, and the site of the historic Camp Sumter Civil War prison. Andersonville National Historic Site is the only unit of the National Park System to serve as a memorial to all American prisoners of war. Admission to the park is free. For more information about the park call 229 924-0343, visit our website, or check us out on Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube.
About the National Park Service. More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 419 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: May 29, 2021