Participate in annual Memorial Day activities

United States Army Retired Col. Henri “Rik” Erkelens, president of the Military Officers Association, Ancient City Chapter, invited local Historic City News readers to participate in annual Memorial Day activities in St Augustine on Monday, May 25, 2015.

The day starts at the National Cemetery on Marine Street, behind the National Guard Headquarters, from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m., for a massing of colors, field music by pipes and drums, and remarks by visiting and local dignitaries and brothers in arms.

“Today, we are seriously challenged around the world — our troops still die in Afghanistan, and our most sacred monuments bear their names,” Erkelens told Historic City News. “The men and women of the United States military have laid down their lives for us and our families to protect our freedom and the American way-of-life.”

Immediately following, there will be a stirring ceremony near the war memorial monument in the Plaza de La Constitution, as the Pilot Club of St. Augustine dedicates the added plaque honoring those who fell in Afghanistan and Iraq.

These Memorial Day activities have been sponsored and presented by the Military Officers Association of America, the Florida National Guard and the Veterans Council.