See 'Forrest Gump' at the National Mall on Memorial Day Weekend

This summer marks 25 years since the release of "Forrest Gump," the Oscar-winning Best Picture that introduced the world to Lt. Dan Taylor. Paramount Pictures will mark the anniversary with a free movie screening on Memorial Day weekend on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.

Sammy L. Davis, the Medal of Honor recipient known as "The Real Forrest Gump," will make an appearance at the event. Davis was recognized for his bravery during at nightlong firefight at Cai Lay on Nov. 18, 1967. Footage from his Medal of Honor ceremony was used in "Forrest Gump." Special effects wizards put Tom Hanks' head on Davis' body to create the illusion that President Lyndon Johnson was placing a Medal of Honor around Forrest Gump's neck.

The free screening will take place on Friday, May 24, at 8:00 pm. The event will be held between 10th and 12th Streets, with spots on the lawn available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Gary Sinise, the actor who created Lt. Dan and a beloved supporter of the military community, won't be there in person because he will be preparing to host the National Memorial Day Concert on Sunday, May 26. Once again, that event will air live on PBS stations around the country.

If you can't make it to Washington for this screening, Fathom Events will present two showings a day of "Forrest Gump" on June 23 and 25 in more than 600 cinemas nationwide. For information and tickets, visit www.FathomEvents.com.

For the 25th anniversary, Paramount has also released an newly-remastered Blu-ray + Digital set (following last year's 4K UHD release) that comes with a second disc filled with over 3 hours of bonus content, including a deep dive into the special effects breakthroughs that helped make the film such a success back in 1994.