Fort McHenry Hosts Funeral Customs Exhibit

ST. CLAIR SHORES, Mich., Jan. 15 /PRNewswire/ — What do a President’s
rider-less horse saddle, Rosa Park’s quiet act of defiance, and Abraham
Lincoln’s casket have in common? They’re all part of an exhibit that is
drawing crowds with its unique collection of funeral objects and exploration
of funeral customs in a state-of-art mobile museum.

Reflections: The American Funeral examines funeral traditions and their
role in helping the living achieve closure. Spread out across 1,000 sq. ft.,
thoughtful display areas reveal how we mourn the dead. A special area
featuring “Arlington National Cemetery” honors our country’s veterans and the
more than three million Americans buried in our national cemeteries. “Glory,
Glory Hallelujah” showcases President John F. Kennedy’s rider-less horse -
empty boots reversed in the saddle – trotting briskly in his funeral
procession and Rosa Parks, who was the first woman to lie in state at the
Capitol Rotunda. “The Lord is My Shepherd” is a poignant tribute to fallen
public safety officers killed in the line of duty. “The Final Curtain” pays
homage to celebrities, including Marilyn Monroe, Dale Earnhardt, and Elvis.
And “Six White Horses” – a poem about Kennedy’s funeral written by a high
school student – captures the emotions of a nation in grief.

The Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine will host
Reflections: The American Funeral on January 23-24, 2009. The free, handicap-
accessible exhibit will be open to the public from
9 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day. Fort McHenry is located at 2400 East Fort Avenue,
Baltimore, MD, 21230; ph (410) 962-4290.

The Reflections museum commemorates people, places and practices of
historical significance. “This display is very appropriate for Fort McHenry,”
says Vince Vaise, Chief of Interpretation. “Soldiers were killed here during
the bombardment in 1814, there was a post cemetery here during the Civil War
and the influenza epidemic killed over 300 patients in 1919 while the fort
served a hospital during World War I. Exhibits like this illustrate the true
nature of sacrifice,” says Vaise.

The exhibits honoring our country’s veterans, Presidents and fallen public
safety officers are heartrending, and Fort McHenry visitors will be treated to
an unforgettable educational and inspirational experience. Built prior to the
War of 1812, Fort McHenry is named for James McHenry, Secretary of War from
1796-1800. Francis Scott Key penned The Star-Spangled Banner while watching
the bombardment of Fort McHenry from the Patapsco River.

From the cross-country funeral procession for Abraham Lincoln to the
national outpouring of grief for Elvis Presley, America has a rich history of
mourning the dead. Reflections: The American Funeral explores these
traditions, beginning with Native American burial mounds and ending with the
diverse rituals practiced across the country today. Produced by Michigan-based
MRA, it’s earning high praise from everyone who experiences it. “Awesome!”
“Great educational tool!” “Amazing! Brings out a lot of things we don’t think
about.” “Very, very moving.”

“We created this mobile experience to communicate the valuable role of
funeral professionals and their commitment to attend to the needs of families
during times of sorrow,” says Harry Kurtz, President of MRA, a leading
experiential event producer. “There are intriguing stories of funeral
practices throughout the centuries and this exhibit educates people on those
stories and enables them to connect to the universal human experience of
death. The displays on Arlington and fallen public safety officers move people
to tears.”

Reflections: The American Funeral has been touring across the United
States since Summer 2008, stopping at state capitols, universities, veteran
events, and mortuary schools, funeral homes and industry conventions. It will
be on display at Arlington National Cemetery on January 17 from 10 a.m. – 5
p.m.; January 18 from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.; and January 19 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

It receives support from The Museum of Funeral Customs in Springfield, IL;
Legacy.com – the leader in the online memorial and obituary market in
partnership with over 650 U.S., UK and Canadian newspapers; and Kates-Boylston
Publications, the parent company of American Funeral Director magazine, a
leading independent trade magazine for funeral directors and other funeral
service professionals. Kates-Boylston Publications has been helping funeral
professionals succeed and serve for over 130 years.

Sponsorship and appearance inquires are welcome and can be submitted to

High resolution images available upon request.

ABOUT MRA

MRA, Inc. is a leader in mobile experiential marketing, specializing in
the custom design, build, vehicle sales and leasing, tour equipment and
logistics management services for the experiential marketing and exhibiting
needs of museums and many Fortune 1000 firms in association with leading
agencies and exhibit builders worldwide. Contact MRA, Inc. at 800.676.3520 or
visit www.goMRA.com.

SOURCE MRA, Inc.