Free admission for military/veterans and reduced general admission for the public Memorial Day weekend at National WWI Museum and Memorial, May 23-26

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National WWI Museum and Memorial serves as a fitting place to spend Memorial Day weekend, giving honor and special recognition to the individuals who sacrificed their lives while serving their country.

Admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel, while general admission for the public is half-price all weekend (Friday-Monday, May 23-26). The military discount is extended to spouses and dependents with ID. Special thanks to Hero Sponsor nbkc bank. Guests will be able to visit the newly-installed immersive multi-media exhibit Encounters, which tells the stories of 16 individuals during the Great War through their own diaries, letters and more.

The Museum and Memorial opens early (9 a.m.) on Memorial Day and offers events all weekend for people of all ages, including a free public ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day with local dignitaries and a keynote address from Major General (Ret.) William "Razz" Waff. Support for Memorial Day is provided by Hero Sponsor nbkc bank; Jackson County of Missouri; the Kansas City, Missouri Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund (NTDF); Weather or Not; and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

When: Monday, May 12 - Tuesday, May 27
Where: Walkway Terrace near Main Entrance at the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that every 72 minutes, a service member takes their own life. This moving display of 140 U.S. flags calls attention to the fact that 140 veterans are lost to suicide every week. FREE to the public.

When: Friday, May 23 - Monday, May 26

Where: Mall and Southeast Lawn

What: These flags represent the involvement of U.S. military divisions in the WWI, WWII, Korean and Vietnam wars, as well as other more recent military conflicts. Unit colors were originally used to mark location through the smoke of battle. Not needed for that purpose since the Civil War, colors now have symbolic meaning embodying the history and heart of each unit. FREE to the public.

When: Saturday, May 24, 1-4 p.m.

Where: Auditorium

What: Inspired by real stories of redemption and recovery, “SHEEPDOG” follows one combat veteran’s journey toward healing. Discussion with writer-director Steven Grayhm and co-star Matt Dallas to follow. Hosted in partnership with Warriors’ Ascent.

When: Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, May 25
Where: Southeast Lawn
What: The Military Vehicle Preservation Association (MVPA) will display vintage military vehicles from World War I, World War II, Korean War and Operation Desert Storm. MVPA members will be available to answer questions about their collection. Availability subject to weather. FREE to the public.

When: Saturday, May 24 - Sunday, May 25
Where: U-shaped Drive outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter #243 will provide an iconic Bell UH-1 Iroquois “Huey” helicopter for people to climb aboard and inspect. FREE to the public.

When: Monday, May 26

Where: Southeast Lawn

What: The Museum and Memorial is teaming with area amateur radio operators to host special event station WW1USA. During this time, station operators will contact hundreds of other amateur radio operators across the world. FREE to the public.

When: Monday, May 26, 10 a.m.
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard
What: A formal public program to include remarks from dignitaries and a keynote address from Major General (Ret.) William Razz Waff. He served for 39 years in the United States Army and Army Reserve and retired as Department of the Army Deputy G1 and Chairman of the Army Reserve Forces Policy Committee. ASL interpretation will be provided for the ceremony. FREE to the public.

When: Monday, May 26, Noon
Where: National WWI Museum and Memorial, Memorial Courtyard
What: We commemorate those who made the ultimate sacrifice with a bell tolling ceremony featuring a presentation of colors, a wreath laying and a moving reading. It was also tolled 11 times at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1926 during the dedication ceremony of the Liberty Memorial and again on Nov. 11, 2018 to commemorate the centennial of the WWI armistice. FREE to the public.

When: Monday, May 26, 2 p.m.
Where: Auditorium
What: New Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony. The Walk of Honor includes bricks dedicated to those who served in World War I, to veterans of any military service and bricks honoring civilian friends, family or organizations. Bricks are dedicated each year during a Memorial Day ceremony. FREE to the public.

When: During Museum hours, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Where: Outside Auditorium Lobby inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Find your connection to World War I during Memorial Day weekend through research stations at the Museum. With access to multiple databases including Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial’s online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives, discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. FREE to the Public.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND HOURS AND PARKING

The National WWI Museum and Memorial will be open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday-Sunday and from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on Monday. Visitors are encouraged to allot additional time for parking during the weekend.

Free General Admission for Veterans/Active-Duty Military and half-price general admission for the public during Memorial Day Weekend (Friday-Monday, May 24-27).

Memorial Day Ceremony — Free to the public, this annual ceremony will feature music, dignitaries and a keynote address from Major General (Ret.) William "Razz" Waff. (Monday, May 26; 10 a.m.)

Walk of Honor Brick Dedication — New bricks will be dedicated along the extended length of the Walk of Honor. (Monday, May 26; 2 p.m.)

New Exhibit: Encounters — Guests can visit the latest updated exhibits in the Main Gallery. Through cutting-edge visual storytelling, visitors will encounter 16 individuals and their intimate first-person accounts crafted from diaries, letters and photos.

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.