Leesburg Memorial Day Ceremony To Feature Purple Heart Recipient

LEESBURG, VA—Vietnam War veteran and Purple Heart recipient John Kimball will be the featured speaker for Leesburg's annual Memorial Day ceremony 10 a.m. Monday, May 27, at the Loudoun County Courthouse grounds, 18 East Market Street. The event also will feature patriotic music and a traditional rifle salute.

The ceremony, according to a release, "will commemorate those who have lost their lives in battle, serving the United States, as well as recognize the brave military men and women who serve our country." In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will be held at the Loudoun County Senior Center, 102 North Street NW.

Kimball, a Michigan State graduate and Leesburg resident, was wounded in early 1968 in a grenade attack during the Battle of Khe Sanh. It severed an artery in his right leg and also injured his liver and abdomen.

After leaving the Army in 1970, Kimball began a new career as a senior executive at newspapers in Detroit, Denver and northern New Jersey. He later served as the chief marketing officer for the Newspaper Association of America before retiring in 2009. Kimball now is managing general partner and CEO of "The John Kimball Group," a newspaper industry consultancy in Leesburg.

Following Kimball's remarks, per the town:

". . .(W)reaths will be laid at each of the war memorials in honor of all soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen who served in the defense of our country, in all conflicts. Ceremony participants will include Leesburg VFW Post #1177, American Legion Post #34, the Ketoctin Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Sons of Confederate Veterans, Sons of the American Revolution and United Daughters of the Confederacy, Loudoun Chapter #170, and several Boy and Girl Scout Troops.

"Market Street, from Church to Wirt streets, and King Street, from Loudoun to North streets, will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 9:30 a.m. until the end of the ceremony at approximately 11:30 a.m. Event guests should park in the Leesburg Town Hall Parking Garage, accessible from Loudoun Street. On-street parking within the street closure area will be available for ceremony attendees with special needs."