Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery: Obama to Pay Respects, Speak

Arlington National Cemetery will host the annual National Memorial Day Observance on Monday to honor this country's fallen military men and women.

President Barack Obama will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns at 11 a.m. and then deliver remarks at the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater, according to the White House.

"Observing Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery is like no other place in the country," cemetery spokeswoman Jennifer Lynch told Patch. "And I highly recommend that people come and experience it first-hand."

However, attendees will have to choose which event to watch. The Tomb of the Unknowns ceremony is standing-room only; the amphitheater holds 5,000 people and is expected to reach capacity.

"If history is any indication, then it will be full," Lynch said.

The National Memorial Day Observance draws people from well beyond the greater Washington area. It's not uncommon to see school groups or veterans from Baltimore to Richmond, or even West Virginia or Pennsylvania.

"It does draw people from all over… because it's the National Memorial Day Observance," Lynch said. "This is the official observance of Memorial Day for the country."

Schedule, Parking and Other Tips for Attendees

Cemetery officials are encouraging attendees to arrive early and to be at the Tomb of the Unknowns or seated at the amphitheater by 9:30 a.m.

Shuttles will run from the cemetery's welcome center to the Memorial Amphitheater beginning at 8 a.m. The service will continue on a first-come, first-serve basis until 10:15 or until the amphitheater is full, whichever is first.

Walking to the amphitheater is not allowed.

Security checkpoints will be in place and a number of items are prohibited, though Lynch said water in clear plastic bottles was allowed and encouraged. Drinking plenty of water beforehand is also recommended.

The U.S. Air Force Band will begin playing in the amphitheater at 10:30 a.m.

The wreath-laying ceremony and observance program are free and open to the public.

Free parking is available in the cemetery's welcome center parking lot until 2 p.m.

Prohibited items include:

• large bags or backpacks
• firearms and weapons of any type
• laser pointers
• aerosol containers
• soda cans
• umbrellas
• coolers
• picnic baskets
• tripods
• lighters
• personal protection sprays
• insulated beverage containers

The cemetery will not issue temporary passes to visit a gravesite before 1 p.m.

This year, the cemetery received a large donation of roses, which will be handed out in Section 60 — veterans from World War II to the present are buried there — and outside the welcome center, Lynch said.