Fort Knox and the Kentucky Department of Veteran Affairs will host a Memorial Day ceremony at the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery -- Central in Radcliff at 11:30 a.m. May 29, and the installation will have its annual open cemetery visitation the same day.
The Memorial Day ceremony, which is open to the general public, will include remarks by Maj. Gen. Chris Hughes, the commander of U.S. Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox. During the event, Hughes will participate in a ceremonial wreath laying--a tradition honoring all U.S. service members who lost their lives in defense of the United States. The ceremony will also feature patriotic music from the Heartland Fillies, a 21-round cannon salute, presentation of the prisoners of war/missing in action table, flag folding and the playing of taps.
Memorial Day also marks the day of the year when the 121 cemeteries on Fort Knox will be open to the families and friends of those buried on post. Access to the cemeteries will be made available from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Fort Knox Range Operations and Cultural Resources staff will be posted at seven checkpoints around the installation to help those seeking specific gravesites. Those needing to locate checkpoints may call (502) 624-2125 or visit the Fort Knox Visitor Center at the Chaffee (main) Gate for assistance.
Most of the cemeteries have ties to former area towns such as Stithton, Grahamton and Pitts Point, as well as rural church cemeteries and family graveyards. Additionally, some relatives of President Abraham Lincoln are buried on Fort Knox, to include his grandmother, Bathsheba (Bersheba) Lincoln.
Visitors who already possess a Fort Knox Automated Installation Entry pass will be able to use it at any checkpoint to expedite entry. Those who do not have an AIE pass should acquire one at the Fort Knox Visitor Center to reduce wait times.
For more information on installation entry requirements, visit http://www.knox.army.mil/Garrison/des/psd/aie.aspx.
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