The White House Commission 1750 New York Avenue NW 

on Remembrance Washington, D.C. 20006 Office : (202) 783-4665 

 Fax : (202) 783-1168 

 commission@remember.gov

Event: A Remembrance Ceremony to be observed by schools prior to 

Memorial Day sponsored by the White House Commission on the 

National Moment of Remembrance. 

Purpose: To inform students across the country of the National Moment of 

Remembrance and the importance of honoring those who died for 

their freedom and encourage the participation of students and their 

families in this act of national unity at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day. 

When: Before Memorial Day, at a time designated by the school. 

Duration: Ten minutes 

Place: Either: individual classroom, school auditorium or at school’s 

flagpole. 

SCRIPT

READER 1: For 136 years, our Nation has observed a day to honor those who 

died for our freedom. It is called Memorial Day and this year it is 

on Monday, May 31. Most of us think of Memorial Day as a day 

of swimming and barbeques, but it’s much more important than

that. The purpose of the original “Decoration Day,” as it was 

called in 1868, was to decorate the graves of the men who died 

during the Civil War. The tradition has been carried through all 

the wars since. 

Instructions: Each 

reader should have 

a card with the 

instructions on it.

Today, we have a reminder of why Memorial Day is so important.

Many of us heard that Pat Tillman died late last month. Corporal 

Tillman’s story is just one that should make us think. Pat was a 

pro-football player with a multi-million dollar contract. He gave it 

up to join the Army to serve his country. Once in the Army, 

Tillman trained for and became a Ranger, one of the most

dangerous Army jobs. 

On April 24, Pat Tillman gave his life in Afghanistan defending us 

from terrorism. He was killed in action and became a national

hero. The truth is, he was a hero before he was killed, just as all 

who fight for us are heroes. They give their lives so that we can 

enjoy the pool and barbeque and all the other things that we love. 

Please pause for a moment on Memorial Day at 3 p.m. to 

remember our heroes. 

1 
 

The White House Commission 

on Remembrance

 1750 New York Avenue NW 

 Washington, D.C. 20006 Office : (202) 783-4665 

 Fax : (202) 783-1168 

 commission@remember.gov

2 

READER 2: The casualties of war are not only those who died in battle but also 

the families they left behind. President Abraham Lincoln, our 16th

President, wrote of “...the solemn pride that must be yours to have 

laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom,” in a letter 

during the Civil War to a mother who lost five sons. 

Instructions: As a 

student reads the 

name of a war, a 

bell is rung. We 

suggest using 12 

student readers.

READER 3: And now we are proud to begin our Roll Call of Remembrance, 

which pays tribute to all those who died in our wars, conflicts and 

incidents. 

With honor and pride, we remember those who died in the: 

 

Revolutionary War 

War of 1812 

 Mexican War 

 Civil War 

 Spanish-American War 

 World War I 

 World War II 

 Korean War

 Vietnam War 

 Gulf War 

Conflicts and Incidents 

 Peacekeeping Missions 

War on Terrorism

READER 4: On Memorial Day, for the National Moment of Remembrance, 

wherever you are, at 3 p.m., stop whatever you are doing. Place 

your hand over your heart, as a gesture of gratitude and respect, 

and remember those men and women who died for us.