A return to in-person traditions for Memorial Day in the Triangle

With Memorial Day being a day of pride and reverence for the nation's armed forces, several organizations in the Triangle are paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Posted 8:51 a.m. May 31, 2021 — Updated 5:44 p.m. May 31, 2021

Gilbert Baez

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Nia Harden, WRAL reporters

CHAPEL HILL, N.C. — Across central North Carolina on Memorial Day, communities paid tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Those ceremonies had additional resonance after being canceled in 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Orange County Veterans Memorial Committee unveiled a new Veterans Memorial site at 2501 Homestead Road in Chapel Hill. An address was given by Nick Palmisciano, CEO of Diesel Jack Media. Palmisciano is a former United States Army infantry officer.

"Memorial Day is for those that we've lost," Palmisciano said. "There are lot of people in the veteran community that feel like this has to be a day of sadness. You have to spend this day in a bad place. It's hard, now that I'm 44 and I think about how much life has been missed, how many things that these guys did not experience."

The site is currently open to visitors, although not completed. Those interested can memorialize someone by purchasing a brick.

In Fayetteville, about 300 people gathered at Freedom Memorial Park to hear remarks by Col. Dan Dederick, civilian aide to the Secretary of the Army, and others who shared the history of the country's fight for freedom.

Wreaths were laid at six stone monuments for those who died in conflicts around the world, including Vietnam, World Wars I and II and the Gulf War.

It was both a somber and uplifting occasion, as the sound of Taps and rifles honored fallen heroes. Memorial Day has special resonance in the community tied so closely to the military.

Gov. Roy Cooper ordered all United States and North Carolina flags at state facilities be flown at half-staff on Monday until noon.

"I am profoundly grateful for those who have lost their lives in the line of duty protecting our country and our freedom," Cooper said. "I salute them, their families, their friends and their comrades in arms as we take this day to reflect upon and appreciate their ultimate sacrifice for all of us."

In Raleigh, 500 flags were planted to honor military, medical professionals and first responders at the West Raleigh Baseball Complex on Barringer Drive.

At the state capitol, the Tar Heel Detachment of the Marine Corps League recognized all members of the Armed Forces who have passed in a brief ceremony.

In Smithfield, a ceremony was held inside the Johnston County courthouse. That event was also streamed on Facebook.

No major events are planned at Fort Bragg on Monday. Last Thursday, the names of 300 soldiers who were killed in combat from 2018 to 2020 were added to the Fort Bragg's memorial wall.

President Joe Biden laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, DC, and spoke at the National Memorial Day of Service Ceremony.

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