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For more stories about Memorial Day 2005, click on the stories below

Midway Veterans Honored at Memorial

2005 Memorial Day Parade plans in Washington

First World War soldier to be Honorary Grand Marshal at National Memorial Day Parade

WASHINGTON, May 13 /U.S. Newswire/ -- One of the last surviving American veterans of World War One will serve as an honorary Grand Marshal of the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., on May 30. Lloyd Brown, 105, will be a featured participant in the event commemorating all those who have made sacrifices for their country.

Of the millions of military personnel who served during the United States' involvement in the conflict from 1917 to 1918, Mr. Brown is one of the 80 known veterans who are still alive.

Born in Lutie, Mo., in 1900, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1918. "All the fellows around were joining up," explains Brown. "And of course, all the girls liked seeing someone in uniform."

He was assigned to the USS New Hampshire, a battleship in the escort fleet that was tasked with protecting troops making the perilous crossing of the Atlantic from the U.S. to Europe. He says with pride that they had a 100 percent success rate, never losing a troop carrier to enemy action.

Although trained to serve with a gun crew, navy officials recognized his musical talents and eventually sent him to music school. He was then reassigned to the flagship USS Seattle where he played cello in the Admiral's Orchestra.

He emerged from the war unscathed only to have his life threatened when he contracted Spanish influenza during the 1918 to 1919 pandemic. Spanish influenza claimed ten times as many American lives than those lost in the war, but Mr. Brown was fortunate to fully recover and leave a legacy that includes three daughters, 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Now a resident in Charlotte Hall, Md., Mr. Brown still lives on his own, but has two of his three daughters residing nearby. He will be accompanied by one of his granddaughters as he travels the parade route in a 1910 International Harvester car.

Mr. Brown will be joined in the parade by Mayor Anthony Williams, special color guard, high school bands, antique vehicles, and veterans and re-enactors representing every major conflict in U.S. history from the American Revolution to Operation Iraqi Freedom.

The parade will start on Madison Drive, NW and 3rd Street at 9 a.m., moving across the base of the Capitol and then turn right onto Independence Avenue, concluding on 12th Street, SW. The public is encouraged to come view the parade and pay their respects to all those who have served their country while also showing their support for the thousands of military personnel who are currently stationed throughout the world.