Virginia Beach Hosts Annual Memorial Day Ceremony

Update May 21, 2026: Because of possible inclement weather, the 2026 Virginia Beach Memorial Day Ceremony will be held inside the Virginia Beach Convention Center, Ballrooms 2 and 3, 1000 19th St. Visitors may use the doors closest to Parks Avenue to attend the ceremony. Because of the indoor venue, the previously scheduled 21-gun salute and the flyover will not take place. Other plans remain the same for the Ceremony, noon-1 p.m., Monday, May 25.  

Virginia Beach will honor and pay tribute to all members of the U.S. armed forces during a formal ceremony for Memorial Day, noon-1 p.m., Monday, May 25, at the Tidewater Veterans Memorial, across from the Virginia Beach Convention Center, 1000 19th St.

In case of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place inside the Convention Center, and the announcement of location will be made on May 22. 

Hosted by Virginia Beach Mayor Robert M. “Bobby” Dyer and the Mayor’s Committee for Veterans, the ceremony honors those who "who gave their all," and features live music, reading of honored veteran names and remarks from distinguished guests. It is free and open to the public.  

The event will be livestreamed on the City’s website at VirginiaBeach.com/media and on the City's Facebook page.

Military commands and organizations are invited to place wreaths on behalf of their organizations, and attendees may place small flags at the memorial. Those wishing to place flags or wreaths are asked to arrive by 11:15 a.m. to check in. 

The Virginia Beach Police Department’s Honor Guard Unit – Rifle Team and Color Guard will provide a 21-gun salute as part of the outdoor ceremony. It will also feature music from the U.S. Fleet Forces Band, a reading of honored veteran names and remarks from distinguished guests including Brig. Gen. Catherine Jumper, U. S. Air Force assistant adjutant general – Air, Virginia National Guard, who will deliver the keynote address.   

Other participants include Mayor Bobby Dyer; Mike Gooding, retired senior military reporter with WVEC-TV; and David Yemington, chaplain of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 969; and members of the Mayor’s Committee for Veterans.    

Mayor's Committee for Veterans
Volunteers are needed to help ensure these revered traditions continue. The Virginia Beach Mayor’s Committee for Veterans is tasked with planning and producing the Memorial Day Ceremony. In addition, committee members manage the memorial paver program and work with the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations to plan and present the Veterans Day Parade and Ceremony.  

“It is very gratifying to see the faces of appreciative people after the ceremony and know that you helped to make it happen,” said Virgil Hart, chairman of the committee. 

To learn more about the committee, email Virgil Hart at vhart@vbgov.com. 

To order a memorial paver, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/MCV.