Trump to mark Memorial Day at ceremony at Baltimore monument

Many Americans may be staying in this Memorial Day weekend, but President Donald Trump is hitting road, set to visit Baltimore’s Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine.

White House says president and first lady will participate in a Memorial Day ceremony at site on Monday “to hor American heroes who have sacrificed ir lives serving in US Armed Forces.” hoisting of American flag after fort defended Baltimore Harbor during War of 1812 inspired poem that came to be kwn as “ Star-Spangled Banner.”

Trump has sought to ramp up his travel schedule as he looks to demonstrate that nation is “reopening” after ecomically devastating shutdowns were put in place to slow spread of COVID-19. virus has infected more than 1.5 million Americans and cost more than 92,000 U.S. lives.

visit is set to come just over a week after Maryland began to lift some of its stay-at-home restrictions because of coronavirus, though “safer-at-home” guidelines remain in place.

Trumps are to be joined by Defense Secretary Mark Esper; Interior Secretary David Bernhardt; Gen. Mark Milley, chairman of Joint Chiefs of Staff; and military ceremonial units.

Trump was also considering travel next week to Florida to view launch of first U.S. manned flight since retirement of shuttle, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis said Wednesday. Hosting Vice President Mike Pence in his state, DeSantis said, “You’re going to be re. I think big guy is going to be re.”

Trump marked Memorial Day last year aboard a U.S. aircraft carrier in Japan, where he was on a state visit. He participated in ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery in his first two years in office.