by David J. Kent
Washington, D.C.
Monday, January 22, 2024
Abraham Lincoln turns 215 years old! And all Lincoln Group of DC members (and everyone else) are invited to join in the celebration.
On Monday, February 12, 2024, all are welcome to join your colleagues, friends, and dignitaries at the Lincoln Memorial to remember the birthday of Abraham Lincoln in the shadow of the impressive Daniel Chester French statue. This is the only event sanctioned by the National Park Service to take place inside the Memorial. As with past years, the Lincoln Birthday National Commemorative Committee (LBNCC), which includes the Lincoln Group of DC, will present a program and oversee the laying of wreaths at the feet of the Lincoln statue.
The program begins at 10:45 am with a musical prelude, followed at 11 am with the formal program.
LBNCC chair and representative of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS) John Moore will be the Master of Ceremonies for the program, which include the presentation of the colors by the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard, the playing of the National Anthem by the U.S. Navy Brass Quintet, and an invocation by Chaplain Lieutenant Colonel, William H. Horton of the United States Army.
As President of the Lincoln Group of DC, I will have the honor of introducing and reading the Gettysburg Address.
The James Alan Simmons History Award will be given to an outstanding history student at Lincoln Memorial University (LMU), and will be presented by James A. Simmons, Past Commander-in-Chief of MOLLUS. The presentation will be followed by a rendition of the Battle Hymn of the Republic by LMU's own Kristy Bay.
After the speakers, the various Lincoln organizations will lay wreaths, which will join a wreath of the President of the United States laid earlier that morning. Organizations laying wreaths include the National Park Service, the LBNCC, MOLLUS, various veteran's groups, other Lincoln-related groups, and of course, the Lincoln Group of DC.
This annual ceremony is a great way to show your appreciation for all that Abraham Lincoln accomplished, and to rededicate ourselves "to the great task remaining before us" to ensure that "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth."
(Photo credit: David J. Kent)