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Maryland Wing Airmen Return to Washington D.C. to Participate in the 16th National Memorial Day Parade

June 1, 2022

June 1, 2022 – Granite, MD – For the first time since 2019, over 100 Civil Air Patrol airmen from across the Mid-Atlantic Region and Wings beyond returned to the nation’s capital to partake in the 16th National Memorial Day Parade in Washington D.C. on May 30, 2022.

During this noteworthy event, Maryland Civil Air Patrol cadets and senior members alike joined ranks with many others to honor the countless Service members that sacrificed their lives in defense of our country, from the American Revolution to current day military conflicts, by carrying a room-sized US flag, escorting parade dignitaries at the event’s reviewing stand, carrying event banners, and carrying the national flags of the United States’ World War II allies.  The three-hour parade consisting of several thousand participants routed down Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th streets.

Originally known as Decoration Day, the first national observance of this holiday occurred on May 30, 1868.  The emphasis of this day is honoring the US military personnel who have perished while serving in the United States Armed Forces.  The US Congress standardized the holiday as “Memorial Day” in 1971 and changed its day of observance to the last Monday in May of each year.

There are two additional days dedicated to celebrating those who have served or are serving in the US Armed Forces:  Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday in May of each year), an official US holiday for honoring those currently service in the armed forces; and Veterans Day (November 11 of each year), which tributes those who have served in the US Armed Forces.

This year’s parade was streamed live on YouTube.com and at www.military.com and also televised on the Armed Forces Network and major broadcast network affiliates such as NBC, ABC, CBS and FOX nationwide.

Maryland Wing Cadets marching in 2022 National Memorial Day Parade   Maryland Wing Cadets marching in 2022 National Memorial Day Parade   Maryland Wing Cadets marching in 2022 National Memorial Day Parade

Nearly 1,500 members serve in Civil Air Patrol’s Maryland Wing. Last year, wing members flew 13 actual search and rescue missions. Overall, the Maryland Wing flew 32 missions for the State of Maryland, flying 2,245 hours in all mission categories, and was credited with four finds. Volunteers contributed services estimated at $4.6 million. For information, contact the Maryland Wing at https://mdwg.cap.gov or follow the wing on Facebook (@MarylandWingCivilAirPatrol).

Established in 1941, Civil Air Patrol is the official auxiliary of the U.S. Air Force and as such is a member of its Total Force. In its auxiliary role, CAP operates a fleet of 555 single-engine aircraft and 2,250 small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) and performs about 90% of all search and rescue operations within the contiguous United States as tasked by the Air Force Rescue Coordination Center. Often using innovative cellphone forensics and radar analysis software, CAP was credited by the AFRCC with saving 108 lives last year. CAP’s 56,000 members also perform homeland security, disaster relief and drug interdiction missions at the request of federal, state and local agencies. As a nonprofit organization, CAP plays a leading role in aerospace education using national academic standards-based STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education resources. Members also serve as mentors to over 23,000 young people participating in CAP’s Cadet Programs.

Visit www.CAP.News or www.GoCivilAirPatrol.com for more information.

For More Information:

1st Lt Jeffrey Robertson, Public Affairs Officer, Maryland Wing; jeffrey.robertson@mdwg.cap.gov

 Photo credit: 1st Lt Jeffrey Robertson, Public Affairs Officer, Maryland Wing; jeffrey.robertson@mdwg.cap.gov

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