Soldiers & Sailors to Rededicate its Cornerstone & Time Capsule at Memorial Day Celebration
Presented by the University of Pittsburgh
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 8, 2012
CONTACT: Colleen Elms
412-621-4253 ext. 226 office
412-600-3561 cell
Soldiers & Sailors to Rededicate its Cornerstone & Time Capsule at Memorial Day Celebration
Presented by the University of Pittsburgh
PITTSBURGH - Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hall & Museum Trust, Inc. today announced it will host a ceremony at its annual Memorial Day Celebration to install a new time capsule and rededicate the cornerstone it removed in 2010 while celebrating its 100th anniversary.
"This year's Memorial Day celebration brings the exciting rededication of our cornerstone," said Soldiers & Sailors President & CEO John F. McCabe. "Our new time capsule allows us to capture our time in history and recognize the accomplishments Soldiers & Sailors has made in the last one hundred years."
Soldiers & Sailors will host its Annual Memorial Day celebration from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. on Monday, May 28, 2012. This free event is open to the public and aimed at remembering the men and women who proudly serve or have served in our country's armed forces.
The Rededication Ceremony will commence at 12:00 noon with a display of the time capsule contents before sealing the capsule. The Rededication Ceremony, sponsored in part by The University of Pittsburgh, Matthews International Corporation, Trib Total Media, Cost Company and Massaro CM Services, LLC, will begin at 2:00 p.m. on the front patio.
Soldiers & Sailors will recreate the 1908 event hosted by Allegheny County and the Grand Army of the Republic. Like the original event, it will begin with a small color guard procession including Soldiers & Sailors own United Stated Colored Troops re-enactment group, Reserves Office Training Corps and veteran organizations. County Executive Rich Fitzgerald will serve as co-Master of Ceremonies, with regional and national dignitaries, military leaders, and sponsors present, including Senator Wayne Fontana, Representative Jake Wheatley, County Council President Dr. Charles Martoni, City of Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Council President Darlene M. Harris, City of Pittsburgh Councilman Bill Peduto, Lieutenant General Gus Pagonis, and a representative from the University of Pittsburgh. A modern day time capsule will be installed and witnessed by an audience of Veterans and community members.
The capsule, purchased from Time Capsules, Inc., is made from 316 stainless steel and designed to last 500 years. The 1908 time capsule included items such as period photographs, newspapers of the day and other historical documents. Soldiers & Sailors has gathered items that reflect upon our history, capture our current state, and project our future. It will include items such as Soldiers & Sailors 100th anniversary coin, a family biography from a raffle winner, current literature for the museum, a slice of the 1908 capsule and other significant items. The capsule items will be on display throughout the event and then sealed by Time Capsules, Inc. who will remove the oxygen and replace it with dry argon gas to preserve the items. Time Capsules, Inc. has provided their services to the Federal government on several occasions, including creating 56 time capsules during our nation's Bicentennial celebration to be opened at the Tri-centennial celebration planned for 2076.
Attendees will also enjoy Annual Memorial Day activities including free admission to the museum, entertainment provided by DJ Bill Lemon of Disc Inferno, children's activities, including a bounce-a-round and crafts, and a special remembrance ceremony honoring fallen heroes from the War on Terrorism.
"As a veteran memorial, it is important for Soldiers & Sailors to remind the public that Memorial Day, formerly Decoration Day, originated after the American Civil War to decorate the graves of the fallen soldiers," said President & CEO John F. McCabe. "Each year we begin our annual event with a memorial ceremony that recognizes each fallen military service member from Pennsylvania who was lost in the War on Terrorism."
This year's annual event is presented by The University of Pittsburgh who has partnered with the museum since its infancy and regularly supports its mission. Refreshments will also be available for purchase and attendants are encouraged to bring blankets and picnic on the front lawn.
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Soldiers & Sailors is the nation's only military museum dedicated to honoring the men and women of all branches of service, and in all capacities (Active, Reserve, Guard). The historic building was designed by renowned architect Henry Hornbostel and has exhibits covering all of America's conflicts, from the Civil War to our present operations in Iraq and Afghanistan. The museum offers a unique look into American history by telling the stories of the individuals that served our country through military equipment and personal mementos, as well as detailing the effects our military conflicts have had on society.
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