Veterans' Day 2007

The 25^th Anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

WEBPAGE UPDATED: 07-31-07 recently updated: 11-06-07

Click Graphic for more information

Hotel-

(Most likely all of our reserved rooms are booked- but you can still try 11/6/07))

A block of rooms is being held for SDIT members at Sheraton National Hotel (site of past Father’s Day reunions) for $99 per night for a single or double; $119 for a triple; $8 per night for parking.

 To reserve a room, call the hotel’s "special" reservation line at 800-325-3535 and mention: ‘Sons and Daughters In Touch.’ For more info, contact Kelly@sdit.org

Sheraton National Hotel 

900 South Orme Street Arlington, Virginia 22204

This ceremony marks the “official" start of the Reading of the Names during which approximately 2,000 Volunteers will read the 58,256 names inscribed on The Wall over 4 days.  The ceremony will feature musical performances as well as remarks by those whose efforts and support years ago allowed The Wall to take its proper place on the National Mall.  MORE INFORMATION.

**SDITers.... if you wish to meet before the OPENING CEREMONY, we will be across from the Women's Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 1:30 p.m. and will wait until 1:45 before we proceed to the ceremony.

Reading of the Names
November 7-10, 2007
Vietnam Veterans Memorial 
The Reading of Names will take place for 65 hours over a 4-day period from November 7-10 during which approximately 2,000 Volunteers will read names as they appear on The Wall, chronologically by casualty date.  This will be the fourth time in The Wall's 25-year history that the names have been read aloud in Washington, D.C.

Let's Do Dinner!

Date/Time- TBA (Possibly Friday Night) trying to avoid conflicts w/ the "Reading of Names"

UPDATED- 11/06/07

Since the majority of us are staying at the Sheraton National we can meet in the lobby and head out as a group --  Meet at 8 a.m. in the lobby

Closest Metro- Archive- Navy Memorial  (Metro Link)

Opening Ceremony: On the Mall at 7^th Street, between Madison and Jefferson Drives - -10:00 A.M. until 11:00 A.M. From this stage we invite ALL participants to this most befitting ceremony, where dignitaries will be addressing you and the general public. Directly after the ceremony ends, we start the parade.

· All marching contingencies (people actually marching) will be lining up from 7^th Street to 15^th Street, on The Mall, between Jefferson Drive and Madison Drive. There is ample room for all groups throughout this vast open Mall grounds.

· Groups will be lined up in alphabetical order by state, interspersed with various groups which are composed of individuals from throughout the USA. Individuals may join in with any group they are invited to march with, and should coordinated on site, the morning of the parade

Parade Route: The Parade starts at 7^th Street and Constitution Avenue, and goes up Constitution Avenue to 18^th Street and Virginia Avenue.

Non-Political: The Parade Committee staff welcomes NO political statements. This is a day to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice and to our service. This is not a forum for anyone’s grievances or upsets.

In 2002 it rained and we got soaked… so you may want to pack a disposable poncho and bring it w/ you as well as an extra pair of dry socks… I learned the hard way.

We will have a banner and feel free to bring a "proud of my dad" sign… some of us have some and will be bringing them..  For people on the sidelines to see the "faces of our fathers" makes quite an impact.  I have attached a photo to give you an idea ;)

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The Opening Ceremony on the Mall: 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

The ceremony takes place from the huge stage we are erecting on the Mall at 7th Street, between Jefferson and Madison Drives. Thousands of general public and veterans attend to Pledge Allegiance; hear the Invocation to those military now deceased and Armed Forces presently serving, a 21 Gun Salute, speeches from acclaimed present and former military (i.e., Medal of Honor Recipients), veteran leadership, distinguished guests, and partake of the befitting musical pageantry. For those requiring it, seating is available.

The Parade: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Immediately following the ceremony, the parade officially starts, with dignitaries and the Grand Marshal taking the lead. An exact Line of March is prepared well beforehand, with all participants gathered at their designated and reserved streets awaiting their Parade Marshals notice to begin marching along Constitution Avenue. A parade of 50,000 plus participants, military vehicles, floats, bands, motorcycles, etc., requires approximately 3 -4 hours of time. Traditionally, various dignitaries walk in the parade up to the Reviewing Stand (in front of the IRS Building on Constitution Avenue), where they proceed to announce and acknowledge the thousands of participants. There will be bleacher seating for those veterans who wish to view the parade. The media sets up roving camera crews throughout the parade route.

Veterans Fair&Concert - Sylvan Theater: 12:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.

The prestigious outdoor Sylvan Theater, located close to the Washington Monument will host an afternoon of memorable entertainment and meeting place of friends past and present. Thousands of parade participants and their guests partake of the various booths in the area.

Interested in participating in the parade e-mail Jeanette Chervony, SDIT Parade Coordinator