Memorial Day Ceremony

Monday, May 25th 2009
10 a.m.
Sugar Land Memorial Park

The City of Sugar Land will remember those who have shown bravery and honor while serving our country by hosting its first annual Memorial Day Ceremony in association with Fort Bend Salutes America.

Ceremony

The official memorial ceremony will include benedictions from various religious leaders, a 21 gun-salute, the presentation of colors and tributes from members of the community. The main tribute address during the ceremony will be delivered by Congressman Pete Olson. Patriotic performances will also fill the stage with choral selections by the Sugar Land Express Singers and music by the Daystar Project Band.

Forming the backdrop for the ceremony will be a US flag made of silk flowers. At the conclusion of the ceremony people will be able to take one of these flowers home with them as a lasting memory.

Additional Activities

Before and after the ceremony, educational and commemorative activities will fill the park.

These will include:

A war artifact exhibition
Military vehicle display
Military jet flyover
Patriotic pre-postage post cards – Anyone wishing to express their gratitude to a veteran or current soldier will be able to take one of these post cards to send their own personal message.

An information booth will also be showcasing the four design concepts for future memorials to recognize Fort Bend County Veterans in Sugar Land Memorial Park.

Parking

Limited handicap parking will be availbale at Sugar Land Memorial Park. There will be no public parking at the event site. Public parking will be available at the Sugar Land campus of the University of Houston at 14000 University Blvd. A shuttle service will run continuously throughout the event between the University parking lot and Sugar Land Memorial Park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The general public is strongly encouraged to use the shuttle service.

Map of parking and shuttle service route.

Memorializing Project

Before and after the Memorial Day ceremony, people will be able to view the four design concepts for future memorials to recognize Fort Bend County Veterans in Sugar Land Memorial Park.

These memorials will be situated in four distinct areas within the Veterans' Memorial area of the park. Each memorial is intended to provoke different emotions.

A dedicated group of individuals appointed by City Council worked for several months to determine appropriate locations and features in Memorial Park. The following task force members were selected by City Council to provide input on this effort: Geoff Neossi, Hillary Goldstein, Jim Gordon, Merle Smithers, Tom Garguilo, Shaheed Kajani, Lucia Street, Dr. Tom Parr, Dave Kiger, Jim Hoelker, Floyd Thigpen, Paul Barnett, Larry Davis, Jack Grounds and chaired by Sherrie Knoepfel.

The Task Force met several times in order to familiarize themselves with Sugar Land Memorial Park, review best practices in memorial features and public art design and receive presentations on public art procurement. In addition, the Task Force participated in a design charrette which resulted in a consensus on recommendations for the location in the park and the types of features they believe are appropriate for recognition of our veterans.

The City anticipates utilizing the Task Force recommendation to proceed with the development of the features in the park which will likely happen in phases. The development of the features is something the City Council would like all residents to have the opportunity to contribute to and feel ownership and pride for the memorials. A fund raising effort for the features will be forthcoming as a result of these efforts.