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Home > News > Local

A day for heroes

By Tom LoBianco | Tuesday, May 27, 2008

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When Hollywood legend Mickey Rooney joined the Army in 1944, World War II was raging in Europe and the Pacific, and he was brought in to entertain the troops.

To him, like many others, Memorial Day has a special meaning.

"We were doing shows at 1 and 2 in the morning. We were seeing schools turned into operating rooms," he recalled yesterday.

"At one time, we were in the forest, with bombs coming down around us. I said, 'Hang on, fellas; God will protect us,' " the 87-year-old said after serving as honorary grand marshal of yesterday's National Memorial Day Parade.

"We played to heroes. I'm just glad to have been a part of it."

The annual Memorial Day tribute to the men and women who sacrificed their lives for the United States took place across the region.

The parade made its way along Constitution Avenue in a stream of veterans carrying flags, high-school marching bands and even a couple dressed as George and Martha Washington.

This year's parade paid special tribute to soldiers in the Army and Army Reserve, including Command Sgt. Maj. Leon Caffie, the highest-ranking enlisted man in the Reserve.

Actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna joined Mr. Rooney as honorary grand marshals.

The joyous mixed with the somber when Miss America 2008 Kirsten Haglund sang "America, the Beautiful," which was shortly followed by a riderless horse, honoring fallen military leaders.

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  • Adam Sleiman, 7, from Dearborn, Mich., waves an American flag during this year's Memorial Day parade down Constitution Avenue.
  • Associated Press
Army Spc. Kevin Cridge of the 1st Infantry Division, who has completed two tours of duty in Iraq, yesterday visited Section 60 at Arlington National Cemetery, where many of the dead from Iraq and Afghanistan are buried, for a moment of quiet reflection.
  • Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times
Cadets from across the country in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps carry flags while marching in the Memorial Day Parade under bright blue skies on Constitution Avenuue.
  • Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times
Spectators along Constitution Avenue watch the procession of D.C. police motorcycle officers. Participants also included 2008 Miss America Kirsten Haglund and 87-year-old actor Mickey Rooney.
  • Photographs by Astrid Riecken/The Washington Times
Stephanie Reisdorf, a Michigan high-school student, was "very honored" to have played Taps in the National Memorial Day Parade.

Click the photo to enlarge. « Previous | Next »

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