Posts conducting Memorial Day observations urged to share their stories, photos on Legiontown.
On Memorial Day, American Legion Family members annually honor the more than 1 million men and women who have lost their lives defending America since the Revolutionary War by hosting post events, participating in community parades, dedicating memorials and more.
Similar efforts will occur nationwide this year on or around Memorial Day on May 25, as posts, Auxiliary Units, Sons of The American Legion squadrons and American Legion Riders will take part in or host parades and ceremonies to commemorate the day.
In the nation’s capital, American Legion National Vice Commander Stephen T. Weismann will take part in the annual Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery. And just over a mile away, fellow National Vice Commander Jan D. “JD” Larson will attend a similar observation at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Please share with our Media & Communications Division how your American Legion Family observed this sacred holiday by uploading your stories and photos of your Memorial Day celebrations to Legiontown.org.
And as a final reminder: An American Legion Memorial Day speech for 2026 is available for American Legion departments, districts and posts to use for Memorial Day events. The speech is available to download here. It is not meant to be recited verbatim; American Legion members are greatly encouraged to amend it to taste and audience.
Below are a few examples of what Legion Family members have planned or already have done.
Arizona
In Florence, American Legion Posts 9 and 97 are inviting the community to gather for a Memorial Day ceremony at Florence Memorial Park Cemetery. The program will include welcome remarks, a brief history of Memorial Day, a wreath-laying ceremony and a community tribute titled "They Are Not Forgotten.”
Following the ceremony, attendees are invited to replace worn, faded, or damaged American flags on veterans' graves, and then return the old flags so they can be properly retired.
Colorado
In Glenwood Springs, American Legion Garfield Post 83 and Glenwood Springs Elks Lodge 2286 are continuing a decades-long tradition of hosting a ceremony at Rosebud Cemetery that includes the placing of flags on veterans’ graves.
The ceremony has become a familiar gathering, marked by American flags placed at veterans’ graves, the raising of the flag, a rifle salute and the playing of Taps. This year, Glenwood Springs Boy Scout Troop 225 will raise the flag, as well as a rifle salute by Glenwood Springs High School JROTC members.
Connecticut
In Newtown, American Legion Post 202 will conduct its annual Memorial Day observance at The Liberty and Peace Monument. Music will be performed by the Newtown High School Tri-M Club and will include “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “America the Beautiful,” “My Country ‘Tis of Thee” and “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”
Opening remarks will be given by Post 202 Adjutant Tara Carr; also expected to participate in the ceremony are other Post 202 members, including State Rep. Martin Foncello Jr., State Rep. Mitch Bolinsky and Newtown First Selectman Bruce Walczak. Poppies will be given out by Junior members of American Legion Auxiliary Unit 202 and Sons of the American Legion Squadron 202 members.
Georgia
· For the 28th year, Calvin George Post 37’s American Legion Riders of Loganville will host the Ride for America on Memorial Day. More than 1,000 riders are expected to ride their motorcycles from Loganville, through Social Circle and Rutledge, to Town Park in Madison. The public is invited to attend, especially veterans who will be honored at the event. The grand marshal for the 28th Ride for America motorcycle parade is Patricia Ross, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veteran’s Service. U.S. Rep. Mike Collins also will make an appearance at the event.
· In Jefferson, Sons of the American Legion Squadron 56 and American Legion Post 56 will host a free Memorial Day concert. The concert will take place at the Jefferson High School Performing Arts Center. Admission is free. Music will be performed by the Athens Classic City Band, a 70-piece orchestra.
Illinois
In Sterling, American Legion Post 296 is inviting the public to a Memorial Day ceremony at the Grandon Civic Center.
Indiana
In Elberfeld, American Legion Riders Chapter 351 will perform Memorial Day ceremonies at seven area cemeteries: Northview, Noble’s Chapel, Barnett Chapel, Susott, Zion Church, St. John’s Church and Zoar Church of Christ. The Riders will finish with a ceremony at a temporary memorial that they set up on Main Street in Elberfeld.
Maine
In Blue Hill, American Legion Duffy-Wescott Post 85 is organizing the Blue Hill Memorial Day Parade. The parade route includes ceremonies at Mill Creek Bridge and Seaside Cemetery; participants and others then will return to Post 85 for the firing of a cannon.
Minnesota
· In Fairmont, Lee C. Prentice Post 36 and VFW Martin County Post 1222 will conduct a flag raising at Veterans Park in the center of the city. The ceremony will include a prayer, drum roll and Pledge of Allegiance. Following the flag raising, the Fairmont High School band will parade through town to the Martin County Veterans Memorial for the Memorial Day program. The main speaker will be U.S. Rep. Brad Finstad.
· In St. Joseph, members of John Kuebelbeck Post 328’s American Legion Family will march from the post to St. Joseph Catholic Church for a morning Memorial Day ceremony. Following the ceremony, the Legion Family contingent will visit three area cemeteries to honor 605 area veterans buried both locally and in U.S. national cemeteries and overseas. The names of each will be read, followed by the tolling of bells after each name. Post 328’s honor guard also will provide honors at two of the cemeteries. Afterward, the public is invited back to Post 328 to socialize with light refreshments.
· In Freeborn, American Legion Post 552 is hosting its annual Memorial Day Fish Fry on May 23. On Memorial Day following a program, the post is inviting local children to assist members with decorating veterans’ graves.
Nebraska
In Chadron, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 12 is sponsoring a free Memorial Day luncheon open to the community.
New Jersey
· In Neptune, American Legion Post 346 has continued a more than 30-year tradition of its color guard visiting area cemeteries to fire rifle volleys over the graves of veterans there leading up to Memorial Day. “We do this in memory of our fallen comrades,” Color Guard Captain Paul Hulse said. “They gave their all in defense of our country. The least we can do is honor them for the sacrifices. It's a distinct honor and privilege for us to do this every year.” Post 346 also will host a Memorial Day ceremony open to the public before its members march in the Neptune Memorial Day Parade. And on May 24, Post 346 will take part in a Memorial Day service at Veterans Memorial Park, joining with Frederick Dempsey American Legion Post 266 and other organizations to memorialize 69 Neptune residents killed in service to the nation.
· In Monmouth Junction, Lt. John Farnkopf American Legion Post 401 is inviting community residents to its annual Memorial Day service. Refreshments will follow the service.
· In South Amboy, Luke A. Lovely Post 62 is hosting its annual Memorial Day observance. Their effort will include visits to several local cemeteries and veterans memorial sites throughout the city before concluding with a final ceremony at Veterans Memorial Plaza.
New York
· In Brooklyn, various members of the King County American Legion serve on the United Military Veterans of Kings County board, which overseas Brooklyn’s 159th Memorial Day Parade. Following the parade, a memorial service will take place that includes bag pipes, a flag raising and wreath laying. The parade will feature special guests that include members of the WWII 65th Infantry Regiment, better known as the Borinqueneers.
· In Staten Island, Richmond County American Legion members and others were given 6,000 U.S. flags by Borough President Vito Fossella to be placed on veterans’ graves at cemeteries across the borough ahead of Memorial Day.
· In Peekskill, Captain Oliver C. Chase Jr. Post 274 brought in members of the community to place more than 3,400 flags on the gravesites of U.S. servicemembers who rest in local cemeteries. Flags were placed at Old St. Peter’s Cemetery, Hillside Cemetery, Assumption Cemetery and First Hebrew Cemetery.
· In Southold, members of Griswold-Terry-Glover American Legion Post 803 handed out poppies ahead of Memorial Day, and on Memorial Day morning, members of the post will provide 21-gun salutes at five monuments in Mattituck and Southold before marching in the annual Memorial Day parade in Mattituck.
· In Long Lake, American Legion Post 650 will host both the Long Lake Memorial Day Parade and the Hamilton County Memorial Day Parade on May 25 in Long Lake. There also will be ceremonies at both sites. home in Long Lake, relocating to the community with her two children just prior to her husband’s deployment.
North Carolina
In St. James, American Legion Post 543 is teaming with the town to host the annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Veterans Memorial. The ceremony will be led by Post 543 veterans and will include the presentation of the colors, the national anthem and patriotic musical selections. Within the ceremony will be the rededication of the St. James Veterans Memorial.
The guest speaker is retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Phillip E. McGhee, who served 34 years on active duty before retiring in 2013.
Ohio
· In Ohio City, Harvey Lewis Post 346 is conducting a Memorial Day Service at Woodlawn Cemetery Veterans Memorial. The Van Wert Community Concert Band will provide music, while the guest speaker is U.S. Army veteran Denis Glenn, a founding sponsor of the United States Army Museum and the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial.
· In Eaton, American Legion Post 215 American Legion is partnering with the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Preble County Historical Society for its annual Memorial Day parade. After the parade, Post 215 will host a free dinner for the community.
· In Dover, American Legion Post 205 will hold a Memorial Day at Maple Grove Cemetery. The keynote speaker will be Department of Ohio First Vice Commander Gary Cox Jr. The Dover High School Band and the Ars Nova Singers will provide patriotic musical selections.
Pennsylvania
On May 25, American Legion Post 317 in Yardley is to begin Memorial Day observances at 7 a.m. with rifle salutes at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Newtown. Afterward, the post will conduct a ceremony at the Yardley Veterans Square monument. The Yardley-Makefield Memorial Day Parade will follow and will finish at the post.
Tennessee
In East Ridge, members of Post 95’s American Legion Family will carry flags into the Memorial Day ceremony at the Chattanooga National Cemetery. At the conclusion, members of the post will attend a Memorial Day ceremony at East Ridge City.
Texas
· In League City, residents are invited to attend a Memorial Day ceremony hosted by the S. Mike Lacy American Legion Post 554 and the Fairview Cemetery Group. The ceremony will take place at Fairview Cemetery and will feature remarks by Mayor Nick Long and a 21-gun salute by members of the League City Police Department and the Galveston Police Department. A free hot dog lunch will be provided at American Legion Post 554 following the ceremony.
· In Cleburne, Post 50’s American Legion Family is hosting a Memorial Day ceremony that will feature remarks from author and former journalist Christine Kohler. Kohler worked as a political reporter and foreign correspondent for Gannett, covering the West Pacific. She reported on many historical and war-related events. Retired U.S. Marine veteran Justin Albright will also be on hand to give a veteran's perspective on Memorial Day. Cleburne Police Chief Rob Severance will give the morning's opening prayer, while Cleburne resident Dexter Baldwin will perform the National Anthem.
· In Uvalde, member Pos t479 and American Legion Auxiliary Unit 479 are placing American flags on veterans’ graves for Memorial Day. They will be placing flags on more than 1,000 gravesites.
Virginia
In Front Royal, The Giles B. Cook Post 53-sponsored The American Legion Community Band will present a Memorial Day concert at the Main Street gazebo. The free concert will provide music that delivers themes of courage, loyalty, grief and gratitude.
Washington
It will be a busy day for members of Legion Renton-Pickering Post 79 in the Snoqualmie Valley. They will start the day conducting a ceremony at Preston Cemetery, then move to Fall City, North Bend and back to Snoqualmie for a closing ceremony at the post. Afterward, some members will head to the Tahoma National Cemetery, where they help provide funeral honors services.
Over the weekend, members of Post 79’s American Legion Family will hand out poppies, raising funds to assist areas veterans and their families with items such as food and wheelchairs.
“Memorial Day, unlike Veterans Day, is focused on those who have perished,” Post 79 Commander Chad Magendez said. “It’s supposed to be an opportunity for us to reflect on the sacrifices that were made in order to keep our nation whole and protect the freedoms that we enjoy.
“When you go through something that asks so much of you, you look around you, and you find yourself in a very tight-knit community, having gone through something like that together. It’s nice to have a community that you can go to that understands what you’ve been through, and they share the same sacrifices and experiences that you have as a veteran.”
Wisconsin
· In Whitewater, William Graham Post 173 and VFW Post 5470 are hosting various Memorial Day activities. On May 23, members of Post 173 will gather in the center of Hillside Cemetery to decorate the veteran’s graves there. Members of the post also will place flags along Main Street. A parade will take place on Memorial Day and will be led by a combined color guard of Post 173 and VFW Post 5470.
· In Silver Lake, American Legion Post 293 is conducting a Memorial Day parade and ceremony. The ceremony will take place in front of the post immediately after the parade.
- Memorial Day