Free admission for Veterans/Active-Duty Military Personnel & Half-Price General Admission for the Public All Weekend
Highlights of Memorial Day Weekend
Free General Admission for Veterans/Active-Duty Military and half-price general admission for the public during Memorial Day Weekend (Friday-Monday, May 24-27).
Memorial Day Ceremony — Free to the public, this annual ceremony will feature dignitaries and a keynote address from Lieutenant General (Ret.) Wendy M. Masiello. (Monday, May 27; 10 a.m.)
Walk of Honor Brick Dedication and Ribbon Cutting — This year, the Walk of Honor bricks have been moved and re-laid on the East and West walkways around the U-Shaped Drive and Liberty Memorial Mall. New bricks will be dedicated along the newly extended length of the Walk of Honor. (Monday, May 27; 2 p.m., ribbon cutting to follow)
New Exhibition: Sacred Service — Open May 23 in Wylie Gallery, Sacred Service explores the rarely told, true stories of chaplains who armed warriors with inspiration and compassion through the Great War at its most hellish.
“Epilogue: A World Transformed” and “Into the Trenches” — Guests can visit the latest updated exhibits in our ongoing Main Gallery Refresh, again using state-of-the-art technology to show the enduring impact of WWI.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting place to spend Memorial Day weekend, giving honor and special recognition to the individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving their country.
Admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend (Friday-Monday, May 24-27). The military discount is extended to spouses and dependents with ID. Guests will be able to visit the brand-new exhibition Sacred Service in Wylie Gallery, plus two major, extensively renovated exhibits in the Main Gallery, “Into the Trenches” and “Epilogue: A World Transformed.”
The Museum and Memorial offers events all weekend for people of all ages, including a free public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day with local dignitaries and a keynote address from Lieutenant General (Ret.) Wendy M. Masiello. Support for Memorial Day is provided by Jackson County of Missouri; the Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF); Weather or Not; and Veterans of Foreign Wars.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND ACTIVITIES
Flags of Forgotten Soldiers Display
When: Monday, May 13 – Monday, May 27
Where: Walkway Terrace near Main Entrance at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that every 72 minutes, a service member takes their own life. This moving display of 140 U.S. flags calls attention to the fact that 140 veterans are lost to suicide every week. FREE to the public.
Save a Life: Blood Drive
When: Friday, May 24, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Where: Southeast Lawn
What: Like soldiers did 100 years ago, guests can do their civic and patriotic duty by donating blood to support those in need. Community Blood Center requests appointments to donate at this blood drive; walk-ins will be accepted.
WW1USA Amateur Radio Station
When: Friday, May 24 – Monday, May 27
Where: Onsite
What: The Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to remotely host special event station WW1USA. During this time, station operators will contact hundreds of other amateur radio operators across the world. FREE to the Public.
Vietnam Era Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” Helicopter Display
When: Friday, May 24 – Monday, May 27
Where: U-shaped Drive outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for people to climb aboard and inspect. FREE to the public.
Military Vehicle Display
When: Saturday, May 25 – Sunday, May 26
Where: Southeast Lawn
What: The Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) will display vintage military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. MVPA members will be available to answer questions about their collection. Availability subject to weather. FREE to the public.
Memorial Day Ceremony
When: Monday, May 27, 10 a.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard
What: A formal public program to include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address from Lt. General (Ret.) Wendy M. Masiello. Masiello served for 36 years in the United States Air Force and retired as the director of the Defense Contract Management Agency. ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the public.
Memorial Day Bell Tolling Ceremony
When: Monday, May 27, Noon
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard
What: We commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with a bell tolling ceremony featuring a presentation of colors, a wreath laying and a moving reading. It was also tolled 11 times at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1926 during the dedication ceremony of the Liberty Memorial and again on Nov. 11, 2018 to commemorate the centennial of the WWI armistice. FREE to the public.
Bicycling through Battlefields: One Man’s Journey into the Past
When: Monday, May 27, 12:30 p.m.
Where: Onsite and online
What: The audience will cycle through WWI battlefields with Brett Hawkes on his journey following his grandfather’s steps along the Western Front, meeting the descendants of the townsfolk his grandfather met. Free with RSVP.
Walk of Honor Dedication and Ribbon Cutting
When: Monday, May 27, 2 p.m.
Where: Walk of Honor
What: New Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony. The Walk of Honor is divided into three sections: bricks dedicated solely to those who served in World War I; bricks dedicated to veterans of any military service; and bricks that honor civilian friends, family or organizations. Walk of Honor bricks are dedicated each year during a Memorial Day ceremony. FREE to the public.
Immediately following the Ceremony there will be a ribbon cutting on the Walk of Honor. The Walk of Honor bricks have been moved and re-laid on the East and West walkways around the U-Shaped Drive and Liberty Memorial Mall. This change honors the original intent of the design and better protects the bricks from wear and tear.
World War I Research Stations
When: During Museum hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Outside Auditorium Lobby inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Find your connection to World War I during Memorial Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases including Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives, discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. FREE to the public.
MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HOURS AND PARKING
The National WWI Museum and Memorial will be open from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Friday-Sunday and from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Monday. Visitors are encouraged to allot additional time for parking during the weekend.
About the National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.