A citizen led Memorial Day commemoration will take place on the Anchorage Delany Park Strip after Anchorage Mayor Ethan Berkowitz refused to sanction the annual municipal sponsored event.
Citing ongoing concern over COVID-19 Berkowitz said last week that there would be no public celebration of Memorial Day “out of an abundance of caution.” Instead, the mayor is put together a five minute video which he posted online.
“On this Memorial Day, even if we can’t celebrate together, please take advantage of this location and come pay your honor to those who paid the highest sacrifice,” Berkowitz said in the prerecorded video.
As it turns out, Anchorage residents will celebrate together after all in the very same location. For those who want to actually lay a physical wreath at the Anchorage Veterans Memorial, the event begins on Monday at 10 a.m. It will include a keynote address from Lieut. Gen. Craig Campbell of the Alaska National Guard.
Vocal artist John Teamer (retired USAF) will sing the National Anthem and Alaska Flag Song.
Bernadette Wilson is one of the organizers behind the event. She posted an invitation on Facebook.
“With the municipal Memorial Day event canceled we’ve decided to have our own to show our deepest appreciation for our military!” Bernadette wrote. “We the people’ are hosting this event. Our military have given everything to protect the freedoms we have today. Myself and Eddie Burke with a host of supportive patriots were not going to let their sacrifices go unrecognized. Come join us! We would love to have you!”
