By David J. Kent
Washington, D.C.
Monday, February 7, 2022
Return of a tradition! This year the Lincoln Group of DC will again lay a wreath at the Lincoln Memorial on Lincoln's birthday, Saturday, February 12, 2022. COVID interrupted the 2021 event, so we are happy to once again participate this year.
The wreath laying program will be truncated this year (COVID is still with us, after all), but there will be a ceremony. It will begin at 11 am. Fewer chairs will be set up in order to allow greater social distancing protocols. The program is again being organized by the Lincoln Birthday National Commemorative Committee (LBNCC) and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS). The Military District of Washington is providing the U.S. Army Band Brass Quintet and the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard.
The Gettysburg Address will be recited by Scott W. Stucky, Senior Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Dr. Martin Sellers and Cynthia Whitt from Lincoln Memorial University will offer some remarks. Mrs. Kristy Bay of Lincoln Memorial University will then sing the Battle Hymn of the Republic.
An award from the past Commander-in-Chief of MOLLUS James A. Simmons will be presented to a deserving Lincoln Memorial University history student. All this will be followed by the traditional wreath laying by participating Lincoln-related organizations, including the Lincoln Group of DC. While logistical issues created by the pandemic will result in fewer groups, we're sure to see a fine collection of wreaths at the feet of the famous Daniel Chester French statue of Lincoln. This is especially important because 2022 is the 100th Anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial. [Be sure to check out the Lincoln Group/NPS event on May 22nd]
Plan now to join us at the wreath laying on Lincoln's birthday. The program begins at 11 am. And that afternoon beginning at 2 pm, join us at the American Film Institute in Silver Spring for a showing of Part 1 of The Lincoln Cycle.