Highlights Announced for Ninth Annual National Memorial Day Parade

TRACE ADKINS, ROBERT GRIFFIN III, J.R. MARTINEZ, GARY SINISE TO HONOR FALLEN HEROES & VETERANS

WASHINGTON, May 14, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The American Veterans Center, organizer of the 2013 National Memorial Day Parade, announced that this year's parade will feature several honorary celebrity marshals helping to call attention to the service and sacrifice of our military men and women.  Joining the parade as Grand Marshal will be U.S. Army veteran, actor, and motivational speaker J.R. Martinez.  Joining the parade for the first time in 2013 will also be Honorary Grand Marshal and Grammy-nominated country superstar Trace Adkins, along with actors Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna.  The parade will also feature musical performances by "American Idol" winner and Paris Las Vegas headliner Taylor Hicks and Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan. 

Additionally, the 2013 National Memorial Day Parade will feature Honorary Grand Marshals U.S. Army Veterans Robert Griffin Jr. and Jacqueline Griffin, along with their son Washington quarterback Robert Griffin III, in a special salute to the sacrifices made by America's military families.

The Parade will take place Monday, May 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets NW. 

The parade's television broadcast will be nationally syndicated to more than 100 cities and 80 million households across the country, with LIVE coverage on The Pentagon Channel and American Forces Network.  It will also be streamed LIVE online at the parade's website at www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com. In addition, anyone can participate virtually by marching with the troops at www.virtualbootsontheground.com.

"We are proud to have such tremendous support from both the military and the world of entertainment for this year's parade," said James C. Roberts, president of the American Veterans Center.  "It is a testament to Americans' desire to come together on days like Memorial Day and show support for our military and recognize those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberties."

"Being the Grand Marshal for this year's Ninth Annual National Memorial Day parade is a tremendous honor," said Army veteran J.R. Martinez. "To be in the city where individuals have the power to create change for our vets is a great opportunity to continue to motivate them to continue to establish policies to help our vets on their road to service and those on the road to recovery. I'm hoping this day of remembrance & celebration reminds not only those in the D.C area but everyone around the country of the sacrifices our Service members and their families make every day of the year, not just on holidays." 

About the National Memorial Day Parade: The Parade will take place on Constitution Avenue between 7th and 17th Streets NW on Monday, May 27, 2013 at 2:00 PM and will be televised nationwide, and streamed LIVE online at www.nationalmemorialdayparade.com. It is presented by the American Veterans Center, a 501(c)(3) non-profit educational foundation dedicated to preserving and promoting the legacy of our military personnel. The Parade is held annually in Washington, D.C., and is an opportunity for thousands of patriotic Americans to come together and honor those who have sacrificed so much in service to our country.

SOURCE American Veterans Center