Weymouth Town Council to commemorate US Memorial Day
The annual US Memorial Day ceremony that would normally take place at the American War Memorial on Weymouth Seafront on 25th May will not be taking place due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Mayor of Weymouth will be broadcasting a tribute on behalf of the community which will be available on Weymouth Town Council’s Facebook page.
Each year, many local veterans, association representatives and residents show their respect for the US personnel who served and died during World War II, recognising the many thousands of US personnel who left the ports at Weymouth for D-Day in 1944.
The Mayor of Weymouth would normally lead the ceremony and lay a wreath on behalf of the Town Council, followed by wreath laying by veteran associations and the general public.
Cllr Graham Winter, Mayor of Weymouth Town Council, said:
“We are deeply disappointed not to be able to host a US Memorial Service on Weymouth Seafront because of the coronavirus restrictions. The town has a long and proud relationship with the US and allied forces. I look forward to recording a tribute and reinforcing the town’s respect and strong relationship with our American compatriots.”
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States, commemorating those who have died in military service to their country. Memorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day, an occasion to decorate the graves of the war dead and was created in the aftermath of the American Civil War
The American Memorial on Weymouth Seafront was unveiled on 3rd December 1947 and rededicated June 1999, with further major renovation work in 2012 which was carried out by local stonemasons.
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