ORLANDO, Fla. — Memorial Day is not just a holiday. It was established by the federal government for Americans to take time to recognize the commitment of members of America's military services who lost their lives while defending the United States. In Central Florida, these events will be held to recognize their sacrifices.

Brevard County

  • Veterans Memorial Center Ceremony
    May 27, 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Center, Merritt Island
    Lt. Col. Tim Thomas, U.S. Army retired, is the keynote speaker, with a special presentation by Col. Herman Cole, U.S. Air Force retired of the Tuskegee Airmen Association.

  • Memorial Day Observance: Remember and Honor
    May 27, 10 a.m. | Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, Scottsmoor/Mims
    The Department of Veterans Affairs Cape Canaveral National Cemetery will host a solemn Memorial Day wreath laying ceremony, accompanied by speeches, a moment of silence, the playing of Taps, and a rifle volley. It is the first fully open public ceremony at this cemetery since 2019. The keynote speaker will be Capt. William Toti, U.S. Navy (retired).

  • Memorial Day Ceremony
    May 27, 11 a.m. | Liberty Bell Museum, Melbourne
    The event will feature Gold Star family rememberances. The guest speaker will be Capt. Jason Schneider, U.S. Navy, commander at the Naval Ordnance Test Unit. 

  • Memorial Day Tribute
    May 27, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Cocoa Riverfront Park
    The City of Cocoa honors the fallen veterans of war with a flag folding ceremony, 21-gun salute, the playing of taps, a moment of silence, and entertainment.The guest speakers will be Col. Steve Bond, U.S. Army retired, former Navy Corpsman Chandler Langevin. 

Flagler County

  • Memorial Day Service
    May 27, 10 a.m. | Government Services Building in Bunnell
    The Flagler County Board of County Commissioners and the Flagler County Veterans Advisory Council hosts its annual service. The guest speaker will be Retired United States Marine Corps Col. Mark Thieme, who was appointed in 2023 by Governor Ron DeSantis to the position of executive director of the Florida State Guard. The loss of Army Cpl. Owen Niel Garnet will be recognized for giving his life in defense of the country in Bien Hoa on January 31, 1968.

  • Palm Coast Memorial Day Ceremony
    May 27, 8 a.m.| Heroes Memorial Park
    Mayor David Alfin will open the event with remarks that underscore the significance of Memorial Day and the importance of honoring our military heroes. The Palm Coast Fire Department Honor Guard, Matanzas High School Junior ROTC, and Marine Corps League Detachment 876 will conduct ceremonial duties. Additionally, the Community Chorus of Palm Coast will perform patriotic songs, contributing to the solemn mood of the event. Numerous community groups will present wreaths, demonstrating the community's collective respect and remembrance for the occasion. Special recognition will also be given to the families of fallen soldiers, particularly the Palm Coast Gold Star Families, honoring their significant sacrifices.

Lake County

  • Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall
    May 25, 1 p.m.; May 26; May 27 until 3 p.m. | Waterfront Park, Clermont
    The Patriot Guard Riders Association will set up the display, and it will be open most of the weekend. The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association will also set up a life-sized Black Hawk helicopter flown in Vietnam for the weekend.

  • Memorial Day Tribute
    May 27, 10 a.m. | Lakeside Memory Gardens, Eustis
    Special activities and program include special guest speaker U.S. Rep. Michael Waltz (R-Fla.), a wreath-laying ceremony, the Umatilla High School Junior ROTC, a presentation of the colors and a flag folding ceremony.

  • Clermont's Memorial Day Observance
    May 27, 11 a.m. | Highlander Building and Pavalion at Waterfront Park
    Dr. Joe Ponds, a helicopter pilot in Vietnam and an Army Ranger instructor, will be the guest speaker. Flight Officer Lt. Daniel Keel, who is 101 years old and was a Tuskegee Airman, will be present. The South Lake Florida Base (the Submarine Veterans group), VFW Post 5277 and the American Legion Post 55 have planned and organized an event featuring East Ridge High School’s “Rhythm of the Knight” band, South Lake High School Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (NJROTC), Clermont Sea Cadet Battalion, local boy and girl scout troops, a 21-gun salute and the playing of “echo” Taps.

Orange County

  • SeaWorld Orlando ticket discount
    Now-May 27 | SeaWorld Orlando
    Veterans and active military members can receive discounts up to 50% off on tickets, Fun Cards and passes for Memorial Day until May 27. Officials said the limited time offer coincides with SeaWorld's 60th Anniversary Celebration, which features the return of "Shamu & Crew," new shows, parades and attractions.

  • Memorial Day 2024 at the OVAHCS
    May 24, 11 a.m. | Orlando VA Medical Center, Lake Nona
    The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) will host a Memorial Day ceremony in collaboration with Central Florida Veterans Memorial Park Foundation (CFVMPF) will pay tribute to the men and women who have served and sacrificed for the United States Armed Forces. Attendees will have the opportunity to reflect on the valor and dedication of those who have given their lives in service to our country. The event will be held at the amphitheatre, located at the rear entrance of the medical center. Marine Corps Major Gen. James S. Hartsell, executive director for the Florida Department of Veterans’ Affairs, will provide the keynote address. Parking for the event will be made available in the east and west parking garages, and in any available parking spots located in the south parking lot near the emergency room.

  • City of Orlando Memorial Day Commemoration
    May 24, 6 p.m. | Greenwood Cemetery
    District 4 City Commissioner Patty Sheehan and members of Mayor Buddy Dyer’s Veterans Advisory Council will lead a special Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony to honor and remember the men and women of the United States Armed Forces who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Michael Adams, president of the mayor's Veterans Advisory Committee, will deliverr a keynote address.

  • Cypress Grove Park Memorial Day Salute 
    May 25, 9:45 a.m. to 11 a.m. | 290 Holden Ave., Orlando
    VFW Post 2093 Community Band will perform a prelude. The event will feature a POW/MIA remembrance, folding of the flag and a veterans pinning ceremony.

  • American Legion Post 331 Memorial Day Tribute
    May 26, 10 a.m. | Taft Memorial Cemetery
    The American Legion Post 331 "Riders" and Doris "Dorie" Miller will start placing new flags on the graves of veterans at 10 a.m. , and will hold a commemoration service in honor of the veterans who gave their lives protecting the country starting at 11 a.m.

  • Orange County Memorial Day Commemoration Ceremony
    May 27, 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. | Orange County Courthouse jury room
    Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings and the Orange County Veterans Advisory Council will honor service members who made the ultimate sacrifice. The ceremony includes a wreath-laying ceremony outside the jury room at the memorial site.

  • Winter Garden Community Ceremony
    May 27, 8:30 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Park, Winter Garden
    Local heroes will be remembered with the placement of wreaths, patriotic songs and a roll call of veterans at the park. American Legion Post 63 is hosting the ceremony.

  • Windermere Memorial Day Observance
    May 27, 10 a.m. | Windermere Town Hall
    Air Force Col. Tony Davit will deliver the address for this event hosted by the Rotary Club of Windermere. The local Girl Scout Citrus Singers will perform the national anthem and other patriotic songs, and the Navy Lone Sailor Cadets will present the colors.

  • Woodlawn Cemetery Memorial Day
    May 27, 10:30 a.m. | Christ Mosaic at Woodlawn Memorial Park
    To thank America’s heroes, flags will adorn veterans’ gravesites. Orange County Mayor Jerry L. Demings will be the guest speaker, and a color guard will be part of the tribute.

  • Glen Haven Annual Memorial Service
    May 27, 11 a.m. | Glen Haven Memorial Park, Winter Park
    Music begins at 10:30 by the VFW Post 2093 Community Band. Jeremy Lam of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 16 is the master of ceremonies for the service, which will feature a wreath laying, rifle salute and the playing of "Taps." Patriotic songs will be performed by Charles Haugabrooks.

Osceola County

  • St. Cloud Memorial Day Service
    May 27, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. | Mount Peace Cemetery
    VFW Post 3227, American Legion Post 80, and AMVET Post 33 and city of St. Cloud host this annual ceremony, which will include a wreath laying.  

  • Rep. Paula Stark's Memorial Day Celebration
    May 27, 4 p.m. | 65th Infantry Veterans Park, Kissimmee
    Special guests will be retired Army Col. D.J. Reyes, representatives from the Veteran’s Council, Military Museum, St. Cloud and Kissimmee police departments, Osceola County Sheriff’s Office and color guard, all branches of the U.S. Military, including the Borinqueneers and other veterans, and U.S. Rep. Darren Soto. Light refreshments will be available.  

Seminole County

  • Florida Fallen Memorial
    Throughout May and June | The Oviedo Cemetery
    A special Memorial Day Tribute is scheduled for 11 a.m. May 27. Leading up to and after Memorial Day, across the street from American Legion Post 243. 491 West Broadway St., in Oviedo, the memorial has over 400 crosses and stars, representing Floridians who have died in military service for our country since Sept. 11, 2001. The individual crosses and Stars of David have names, military branch, rank, hometown, casualty date, age, photographs, and awards. 

  • Memorial Day Remembrance Ceremony
    May 27, 9 a.m. | Veterans Memorial Park, Sanford
    Guests can stroll on "Heroes’ Avenue" early, enjoy live patriotic music, visit the monuments in Veterans Memorial Park, explore restored military and first responder vehicles and take a few moments to reflect on the true meaning of Memorial Day. The ceremony, hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5405 in Winter Springs, begins at 10 a.m. with Lt. Commander Jason Althouse, United States Navy, retired, and Seminole County’s Veterans Service officer, leading the service. The Memorial Day address will be provided by Congressman Cory Mills, a U.S. Army combat veteran. Parking will be available at the municipal lot at Palmetto Avenue and Seminole Boulevard. 

Sumter County

  • Memorial Day: Remember and Honor
    May 27, 11 a.m. | Florida National Cemetery, Bushnell
    A program to honor military members who gave lives in service to the country. The hourlong ceremony includes a posting and relieving of the U.S. flag on horseback (with the national anthem and Pledge of Allegiance), a keynote speaker, comments from publicly elected officials, a presentation of a wreath, a selection of patriotic music, a rifle volley/salute, and the playing of “echo” taps. The keynote speaker will be retired U.S. Marine Corps Col. Thomas G. Bowman, a former deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.   wiather around the flagpole for the presentation of colors and Pledge of Allegiance, followed by a 21-gun salute, "Taps" and march out. 

Volusia County