The 2023 In Memory Induction Ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, June 17, 2023 – Father’s Day weekend.
2023 Weekend Schedule of Events:
Friday, June 16, 2023:
Event: In Memory Welcome Dinner
Time: 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Host Hotel – Crystal Gateway Marriott. Book your rooms here.
This optional dinner allows In Memory families a chance to meet other families with similar stories and ask any last-minute questions to VVMF staff. There is a cost for this dinner and seating is limited.
Transportation: If you are not staying at the host hotel you can still purchase tickets and attend the In Memory Welcome Dinner, but you will have to provide your own transportation to and from the dinner.
Ticket Sales: Click here
Saturday, June 17, 2023:
Event: In Memory 2023 Induction Ceremony
Time: 10:00 a.m. EST ceremony begins
Location: East Knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. – best address for drop off is the intersection of Constitution Ave. and 21st Street.
A touching ceremony where each 2023 honoree’s name is read aloud. If you are present, you may read the name. If you are unable to attend a volunteer will read your loved one’s name. The event will be livestreamed on VVMF’s Facebook page and website. You can watch the 2022 ceremony here.
Transportation: VVMF provides buses to and from the host hotel and ceremony site. If you plan to use the VVMF provided buses to and from the ceremony you will be asked to indicate this when you RSVP for the ceremony. RSVP’s for the 2023 ceremony were sent via email on April 19th.
Sunday, June 18, 2023:
Event: Father’s Day Rose Remembrance
Time: 10:00 a.m. EST
Location: Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Roses will be laid around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial site to honor fathers on The Wall, those who never had the chance to become fathers and those fathers who returned home and later died. In Memory families may sponsor roses here. If you are in attendance you will be able to lay the rose(s) at the Memorial site. If you are not in attendance a volunteer will lay the rose(s) on your behalf. Please note this is an activity where those in attendance come and go so this is not something that will be available to watch online.
Transportation: VVMF provides buses to and from the host hotel and the Memorial site. If you plan to use the VVMF provided buses for the Father’s Day Rose Remembrance activity you will be asked to indicate this when you RSVP for the ceremony. RSVP’s for the 2023 ceremony were sent via email on April 19th.
We are selling both our 2023 In Memory Honorees shirt, which features the names of all our 2023 In Memory Honorees in alphabetical order (see here), as well as general In Memory shirts and hoodies that In Memory families from all years can purchase. If you’d like shirts from both campaigns, they must be ordered separately.
All shirts must be ordered from now until the order window closes on May 18th. All shirt orders will be printed and shipped at one time after the order window closes on May 18th, and are expected to be delivered in two to three weeks once produced.
Please check the email provided during your order for shipping updates. If you do not receive your order or shipping confirmation 3 weeks after the close of the sale, please contact Custom Ink’s customer service at 1-800-293-4232.
What’s included in ticket price: Dinner buffet includes: Chipotle Grilled Chicken Breast, Grilled Marinated Flank Steak, Penne Pasta, Marinara Sauce, Meat Sauce, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Garden Salad with Ranch and Red Wine Vinaigrette, Artisan Bread Display, Cookies & Brownies, Coffee & Tea Service, Iced Tea, Lemonade and Water.
Cash bar for soda and alcoholic beverages.
VVMF is happy to provide this opportunity for families to get together at the host hotel the evening before the ceremony. Please note that the charge per ticket only covers half the cost VVMF pays per guest. Because of donations from generous VVMF supporters, we are able to cover the other half of the dinner cost.
Please note the following before purchasing:
- Tickets are limited and sold on a first come first serve basis. Tickets will not be sold at the door the night of the dinner.
- You will have to provide the names of everyone in your party you are purchasing tickets for.
- Children 3 and under are free, but we will need you to indicate how many will be in your party.
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There are not physical tickets to the reception. Your name and the names of all in your party will be on our guest list.
- We provide seating for every ticket sold in banquet-style seating, so please understand that you may be seated with other families, especially if your party is on the smaller side.
In Memory 2023 HOST HOTEL
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Crystal Gateway Marriott (Arlington, VA) for June 14, 2023 – June 19, 2023. Staying at the host hotel means you will have ease of access to weekend activities, and to the shuttle buses to the ceremony on the morning of June 17th (the only complementary transportation available directly to the ceremony site). You may still join us for the optional Welcome Dinner and utilize the shuttle buses if you are not staying at the Crystal Gateway Marriott, but you will have to arrange transportation from your accommodation to the host hotel.
The special room rate of $159 for a Standard King/Double plus tax will be available until May 26, 2023 or until the group block is sold-out, whichever comes first.
As of now, the host hotel is SOLD OUT for In Memory weekend on Friday and Saturday nights. You can check this link regularly to see if any rooms in our room block have opened up due to cancellations.
See below for some hotels near the host hotel that In Memory families have stayed at in the past. Please note that we do not have discounted rates at these hotels.
VVMF has created informational videos to help guide you through your trip to Washington, D.C. for the
2023 In Memory Induction Ceremony.
The 2022 In Memory Induction Ceremony can be watched here. This is an edited video of the full ceremony, so the length is not an accurate representation of how long the ceremony will be.
The In Memory Ceremony What to Expect video can be watched here. This is a short video that gives an overview on what to expect the day of the ceremony, what to bring with you, what to say on stage, etc.
The In Memory Quick Travel Guide video can be watched here. This is a short video that gives an overview on traveling to the Washington, D.C. area.
You can also review our travel and ceremony FAQ’s by scrolling down further on this page.
Where is the closest airport?
Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) is 15 minutes from downtown Washington, D.C.
Alternative airports: Dulles International (IAD) is approximately 45 minutes from Washington, D.C and Baltimore Washington International (BWI) is approximately 1 hour from Washington, D.C.
Can I take Amtrak?
Washington, DC (WAS) Union Station is about 20 minutes from The Wall. We recommend that you utilize the metro or a taxi. Union Station has its own stop on the Metro.
Does VVMF provide transportation to and from the induction ceremony?
Yes, VVMF provides buses to and from the host hotel and induction ceremony site. Attendees will be asked to RSVP for these buses to ensure VVMF rents enough for everyone wishing to utilize them. If you are not staying at the host hotel you may still take the VVMF provided buses to and from the induction ceremony site, but you will have to provide your own transportation to and from the host hotel. The RSVP will open closer to the 2023 ceremony date.
Is there parking available at the induction ceremony?
Parking is very limited and we do not recommend attendees drive to the induction ceremony. Parking along Constitution Avenue and many of the streets around the National Mall is paid/metered parking with a time limit and fills up quickly.
What is the closest Metro stop to the induction ceremony?
Foggy Bottom/George Washington University, blue, orange and silver line, is the closest stop – turn right at the top of the stairs and walk south on 23rd Street about six blocks (approximately 1 mile) and that will bring you right to the Memorial.
Can I take a Taxi/Uber/Lyft to the induction ceremony?
If you are trying to take a taxi/Uber/Lyft to get there, the address that a visitor should use is: Constitution Ave NW & 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20245.
When is the 2023 Induction Ceremony?
The 2023 In Memory Induction Ceremony will be Saturday, June 17, 2023 at 10:00 a.m.
Will VVMF pay for or arrange my travel to Washington, D.C.?
While we hope all family members can attend, VVMF cannot pay for or arrange your travel to Washington, D.C. We do provide bus transportation from the host hotel to and from the ceremony. Host hotel information will be announced in early 2023.
How is the In Memory program/ceremony funded?
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund is a nonprofit organization that is supported by private donors, like you. Your donations make it possible for us to maintain this program so critical to our efforts to promote healing and education, to hold the ceremony annually and to continue honoring many more veterans’ service and sacrifice. Please consider making a donation and support the In Memory program.
How long is the induction ceremony?
The In Memory Induction Ceremony length depends on how many veterans are being honored each year. In 2022 we honored 513 veterans and the ceremony lasted about three hours.
Will there be seating at the induction ceremony?
Yes, seating is provided for the ceremony for all those who RSVP. Attendees were asked to RSVP via email on April 19th, 2023.
How far is it from the bus drop-off to the induction ceremony location?
The buses drop off about 500 feet from the ceremony.
How far away are the bathrooms?
The closest bathrooms are about 300 feet from the ceremony location.
Will there be wheelchairs available?
Although we do not provide wheelchairs, the ceremony area is typically wheelchair accessible. The ceremony is held on the grassy area and can be somewhat difficult to maneuver – especially if the ground is wet.
What is the dress code?
There is no specific dress code. Past participant attire has ranged from casual dress to church dress. We recommend that you dress for the weather. The ceremony will be held rain or shine. Should it rain, the area can become muddy. We recommend that you wear comfortable shoes that are not easily damaged.
It can be very hot and humid during the ceremony as it takes place in the open grass near the Memorial and there is there limited shade. We recommend that you bring at least one bottle of water for each member of your party. Hats and sunscreen are also strongly encouraged.
Will I be reading my honorees name at the induction ceremony?
Yes, you have the opportunity to read your loved one’s name during the ceremony. Our Master of Ceremonies will indicate when the reading of the names will begin. When you are at the microphone, please read your loved one’s name only. You may add their relationship to you, for example, “my husband, John Doe.” Out of respect to other families, please refrain from making additional remarks. If you are unable to attend the ceremony, a volunteer will take your honoree’s tribute to the stage and read your honoree’s name. The applicant will be sent the personal tribute certificate, In Memory lapel pin, and one yearbook after the ceremony.
What is the personal tribute certificate?
The personal tribute certificate is a 8.5″ x 11″ certificate created by VVMF that contains the honoree’s name, photo(s), date of birth, date of death, and branch of service.
What do I do with the personal tribute certificate?
The personal tribute certificate is yours to take home as a lasting keepsake.
I didn’t attend the ceremony in-person, do I still get a tribute certificate?
We will send any tribute certificate not picked up at the ceremony to the applicant of that certificate’s honoree in the months following the ceremony. Any additional family members, friends, and loved ones may purchase additional tribute certificates here.
Will there be a photographer?
Yes, VVMF provides a professional photographer at the ceremony. The photos will be available (about one week after the ceremony) for purchase on our website. Last year’s photos can be seen here. You will also be able to purchase additional copies of the personal tribute certificate after the ceremony.
Will this event be televised?
At this time it is not planned to have the induction ceremony televised, although we do plan to live stream the induction ceremony on our website and Facebook page. If you are watching on Facebook, please like our page to ensure you will be notified of the livestream and to stay up to date on the In Memory program. You can always watch past induction ceremonies that we were able to tape here.
Can I access photos from the ceremony?
Photos from the professional photographers can be purchased here.
I have seen T-shirts with honoree names on them. How do I get one?
T-shirts are on sale now through May 18th. Click here to purchase. Each year VVMF hosts a limited time sales campaign to purchase shirts that list the names of all honorees for that year. All accepted applicants will be emailed when the shirt sale is happening and will have the opportunity to purchase. Proceeds from these sales go directly towards the cost of hosting the In Memory weekend of events.
Where can I purchase additional In Memory items?
In Memory yearbooks, pins, DVDs, as well as other In Memory memorabilia will be available for purchase following the ceremony on our online store.
Can past participants attend the 2023 ceremony?
Each year we invite past participants to the annual In Memory ceremony to again read their honoree’s name aloud. We do ask past participants to complete an RSVP form indicating their plans to attend. An invite and RSVP form will be sent to all past participants from 1993-2022 via email in April 2023.
Ceremony Site Map:
