There are many upcoming events this Memorial Day weekend to honor and commemorate fallen heroes.
May 24: Memorial Miles 5K- Lace up your running shoes for the Dick’s House of Sports Memorial Miles 5K Run. The event starts at 7 a.m. at Rick’s Place in Fayetteville. Participants must register in advance before picking up pre-race packets.
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May 24: Flag Placement Ceremony- Gather at the Chapel Hill Memorial Cemetery at 7 a.m. to honor fallen heroes. Participants are invited to decorate veterans’ graves with American flags.
May 26: Garner Veterans Memorial - A community event will be held in Garner to honor those who have died while serving our country in the U.S. Armed Forces at 9:30 a.m. at the Garner Veterans Memorial at Lake Benson Park. Guided tours of the Veterans Memorial will be conducted before the event and after its conclusion. This free event is co-sponsored by Garner Veterans Advisory Committee. Please bring a lawn chair for seating.
May 26: Wear Blue: Run to Remember- The Fayetteville and Fort Bragg chapter of Wear Blue: Run to Remember will host a free run at Jordan Soccer Complex starting at 8 a.m. Runners will match with a fallen service member to honor and participate in a circle of remembrance.
May 26: Smithfield- The Johnston County Veterans Council will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony at the county courthouse. The event will feature guest speakers, veterans’ stories and a laying of wreaths. For those who can’t attend in person, the event will be livestreamed on the county’s YouTube channel.
May 26: Apex- The Town of Apex will host a solemn Memorial Day ceremony at the Downtown Service Memorial on Salem Street. Members of Apex public safety, Apex Town Council and the local community will share stories and hold space for reflection. The ceremony begins at 9:30 a.m.
May 26: Cary- Veterans Freedom Park in Cary will host a Memorial Day Remembrance at 2:30 p.m. The ceremony features remarks from Cary Town Council, patriotic music from the Cary Town Band and a speech from retired Marine Paul Berry. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, as seating is limited.
May 26: Durham- Durham County will honor America’s military service members who died while serving starting at 9 a.m. A roll call of the 375 active-duty service members from the county who died at war will take place, followed by a speech by Commissioner Stephen J. Valentine.
May 26: Fayetteville- The Fayetteville National Cemetery’s Memorial Day Ceremony begins at 10 a.m. and will feature a wreath-laying ceremony, music and guest speakers. This year’s theme is “The Past, Present, and Future of Fayetteville National Cemetery,” highlighting the deep history of the cemetery and the path forward.
May 26: Hope Mills- Hope Mills is set to commemorate Memorial Day with a ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park from 4-5 p.m. The event includes an address by Colonel Knox from Womack Army Medical Facility and refreshments.
May 26: Raleigh- Historic Oakwood Cemetery will hold its annual observance of Memorial Day at 4 p.m. in its Field of Honor. The ceremony will feature music by the Raleigh Moravian Church Band and a speech from former Navy Lt. Matt Taliaferro.