On the long weekend, many observe the day by attending community events and visiting family and friends. Here's a list of the events and ceremonies happening on May 27 across the Triangle and beyond:
Cary
Veteran Freedom Park
Where: 1517 N Harrison Ave
When: 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The ceremony honored fallen veterans of all wars and conflicts, and the dedication of a new Gold Star Memorial by The Cary Garden Club. A field of flags will be placed at the park.
Chapel Hill
Orange County Veterans Memorial
Where: 2501 Homestead Road
When: 8:45 to 10 a.m.
Chapel Hill hosted a Memorial Day Remembrance event featuring Andrea Allard as the guest speaker. She enlisted in the Army in 1983 and was discharged honorably in 1986 with the impending birth of her first son. Allard is a mom of two sons, Zac and Sam, and is married to Don, a disabled US Marine Corps veteran she met while at the Defense Language Institute in California.
Durham
County Administration I Building
Where: 200 E. Main Street
When: 9 a.m.
The Memorial Day ceremony began with the playing of 'The Star-Spangled Banner' followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. It honored two of its Gold Star Spouses, residents whose husbands were killed while on active duty:
- Daisy Clayton, her husband, Amy Specialist Curvin Clayton, was killed in Vietnam in 1970 at age 20
- Marsha R. Riely, her husband Air Force Major Michael Williams Riely was killed in 1982 while flying a C130 in Arkansas
The ceremony recognized the 365 known veterans from Durham County who have died in service to our nation.
Fayetteville
Freedom Memorial Park
Where: Corner of Hay Street and Bragg Boulevard
When: 10 to 11 a.m.
The Fayetteville community honored veterans in Cumberland County who died in wartime during its annual ceremony.
2024 Memorial Day events happening across the Triangle and beyond
Airborne & Special Operations Museum
Where: 100 Bragg Blvd at the Iron Mike statue
When: 3 to 3:30 p.m.
The song "Amazing Grace" will be played on bagpipes as a wreath is placed for the fallen. During this ceremony, patrons will be asked to observe the National Moment of Remembrance, an event that asks Americans to pause for one minute to remember those who have died in military service to the United States.
SEE ALSO | Special Ops honors Gold Star Heroes at Fort Liberty Memorial Day ceremony
Gold Star Heroes honored at Fort Liberty Memorial Day ceremony
Garner
Lake Benson Park
Where: 921 Buffaloe Road
When: 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Garner is hosting a Memorial Day Observance event featuring keynote speaker Ed Tatum.
Tatum, who is a native of Elizabethtown, served in The Old Guard, the official ceremonial unit of the U.S. Army. He was a Sentinel, one of the men who guarded the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for two years. He and his wife Pam have two sons and a daughter.
Attendees are encouraged to bring camp chairs. There will be guided tours of the Garner Veterans Memorial before and after the event.
Hope Mills
Veterans Memorial Park
Where: 5766 Rockfish Road
When: 4 p.m.
Hope Mills is hosting a Memorial Day Ceremony remembering those who've lost their lives serving the nation.
Knightdale
Knightdale Station Park
Where: 810 N. First Avenue
When: 11 a.m.
The town will unveil an engraving of 15 names of veterans who are being memorialized on the Knightdale Veterans Memorial. Knightdale Mayor Jessica Day and Lieutenant Robert P. Ashley, Jr. (Ret.) will be the guest speakers at the event.
Wake Forest
Wake Forest Veterans Memorial
Where: 1234 Heritage Club Ave
When: 11 a.m.
Wake Forest Memorial Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Post 8466 will present a Memorial Day Ceremony. It will consist of several speeches, the playing of Taps and other patriotic gestures.
Clinton
Sampson County Veterans Park
Where: 200 Northeast Blvd
When: 10 a.m.
The Sampson County Veterans Services will host its Memorial Day Ceremony event at Sampson County Veterans Park. The public is invited to take a few minutes to remember those who gave their lives to make this country free.