Local Memorial Day events, programs

Memorial Day brings programs for and about the military.

New this year is the announcement that eight museums across the state have joined the National Endowment for the Arts' Blue Star Museums roster, meaning each will grant free admission to active-duty military and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day (Sept. 6).

The museums are: Henry Art Gallery and Seattle Art Museum, Seattle; Kids Quest Children's Museum, Bellevue; Tacoma Art Museum and Washington State History Museum, Tacoma; State Capital Museum, Olympia; and Polson Museum, Hoquiam, Grays Harbor County.

Here is a selection of Monday events:

Museum of Flight: Memorial Day programs at the Museum of Flight, 9404 E. Marginal Way S., Seattle; museum admission $8-$15 (206-764-5720 or www.museumofflight.org):

• Historic "Aluminum Overcast" Boeing B-17 on display, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; tours, $5/person, $15/family, free for active military and veterans. Flight experiences $359-$425 (800-359-6217 or www.b17.org);

• Patriotic music by the Boeing Employees Concert Band, noon, Tuskegee Airmen veterans as special guests at 1 p.m.; free admission for veterans and active-duty military with ID.

Snoqualmie Train Depot vintage railway: $5 fare for anyone with current military ID card on Northwest Railway Museum's vintage train rides to the top of Snoqualmie Falls, every 90 minutes 11 a.m.-4:10 p.m., Snoqualmie Depot, 38625 S.E. King St., Snoqualmie; regular fare $12/adult, $10/age 62 and older, $8/ages 2-12 (425-888-3030 or www.trainmuseum.org).

Garden of Remembrance Memorial Day Ceremony: Garden of Remembrance presentation honoring Washington state service members killed in Iraq and Afghanistan since Memorial Day last year, 10 a.m., west side of Benaroya Hall, Second Avenue and University Street, Seattle.

American Legion Post 123 Memorial Day Services: American Legion Post 123 hosts two services: 10 a.m., U.S. Post Office, 3211 W. McGraw St., in Magnolia, Seattle; and 11 a.m., Fort Lawton Cemetery, near the east entrance of Discovery Park, 3801 W. Government Way, Seattle (206-909-6853).

Nisei Veterans Committee Memorial Day Service: Nisei Veterans Committee 65th annual Memorial Day service with U.S. Rep. Jim McDermott, D-Seattle, 10 a.m., Nisei War Memorial Monument, Lakeview Cemetery, 1554 15th Ave. E., Seattle; free (206-919-1465).

Memorial Day at MOHAI: Free admission for veterans and active-duty military, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Museum of History & Industry, 2700 24th Ave. E., Seattle; regular admission $6-$8 (206-324-1126 or www.seattlehistory.org).

Laying of wreaths, Renton: Honoring veterans with laying of wreaths, Renton Mayor Denis Law, VFW Post 1263 and American Legion Post 19 commanders, honor guard, 2 p.m., Veterans Memorial Park, 523 South Third St., Renton (www.vfw1263.com/home/newsLetter.html).

Memorial Day ceremony, Edmonds: To honor those who died while serving our country and to salute all veterans, 11 a.m. Edmonds Memorial Cemetery, 820 15th St. S.W., Edmonds; free (425-771-4741 or www.ci.edmonds.wa.us/cemetery.stm).

Memorial Day at Flying Heritage Collection: Flying Heritage Collection unveils two World War II-era tanks with driving and firing demonstrations; plus vehicles from the Puget Sound Military Vehicle Collectors Club, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Paine Field, 3407 109th St. S.W., Everett; $8-$12 (877-342-3404 or flyingheritage.com).

American Legion Cathay Post Memorial Day Services: American Legion Cathay Post 186 honors American service members, 4 p.m., Hing Hay Park, 409 Maynard Ave. S., Seattle (425-502-9225).

Memorial Day Services, Monroe: Services with JROTC Honor Guard and speaker from American Legion Post 58, 11 a.m., IOOF (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) Cemetery, 21714 Old Owen Road, Monroe; free (206-459-5802).