Memorial Day celebrations in Washington honor 250 years of sacrifice

A gray sky and light showers made for a dreary Memorial Day morning in the nation’s capital — and a lucrative one for Ernest Lawrence.

“Umbrella Man!” shouted the 71-year-old vendor as he hawked umbrellas and colorful plastic ponchos at the steps of the National Archives. Lawrence typically sells T-shirts and hats, but amid the mist at the National Memorial Day Parade, “Umbrella Man” became his new moniker.

A line of people ready to give money to Lawrence quickly formed. Big umbrellas sold for $20; ponchos and small umbrellas were on sale for $10. He was nearly sold out by the time the parade began. Those without umbrellas huddled under trees or braved the elements.

The parade didn’t start until 10 a.m. Eastern time, but people like Ted Nelson started claiming their seats hours earlier. “We didn’t know how busy it was going to get,” Nelson said.

Nelson and his family drove from Michigan to D.C. for the weekend because his 13-year-old son was marching in the parade with his Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps group. Nelson said he was happy to be in Washington for the festivities. “It’s about remembering everybody that served and gave the ultimate price,” he said.

Nelson’s son was one of about 3,000 parade participants, according to the American Veterans Center, which organizes the annual holiday parade to commemorate U.S. service members who died while serving in the military.

“The theme this year is gratitude for those sacrifices over our first 250 years that have gotten us to where we are,” said Tim Holbert, the center’s president. Veterans, including some from World War II, were driven in classic cars in the parade.

To mark the upcoming 250th anniversary of the United States, the parade featured an “America 250″ float with professional football players and Olympians, including gold medal-winning gymnast Shawn Johnson.

“Even though we really do try to keep the overall focus on the spirit of the day, the sacrifice, it’s giving that nod to the 250th coming up next month,” Holbert said.

The country’s 250th birthday has become a cornerstone of President Donald Trump’s administration, complete with a proposed 250-foot arch that officials say they can build without approval from Congress. But at the parade, talk of the president was relatively absent.

The American Festival Chorus began the parade with a rendition of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

“It’s big. It’s expressive. It’s everything,” said Brenda Poulsen, a member of the chorus who’s from Utah.

The parade also featured 36 marching bands, as well as cheerleaders and bagpipe players, baton twirlers and scores of reenactors dressed in U.S. military garb from different eras who sought to create a “moving timeline of American history.”

Kenneth Bonner, vice president of the Virginia Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, was dressed in an 18th century Continental Army uniform.

“We’re here to honor all veterans, going back to our very first veterans, and those who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation,” Bonner said.

About halfway through the parade, the Native American dance troupe Indigenous Enterprise performed a war dance.

Down the block, recruiters with the U.S. Navy were running a pull-up contest. A National Guardsman eked out six. By midmorning, the leader was someone named Caleb, with 22.

On Tuesday, 12-year-old Sanjay Malhotra would begin competing in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. He said he was feeling “pretty nervous,” but on Monday, he was enjoying himself at the parade with his father.

“To come here and be a part of D.C. during the 250th anniversary,” said Sanjay’s father, Rajeev, “is a very special and meaningful time.”