Memorial Day

We have begun a tradition at the Orange County Veterans Memorial.  We are hosting what is to be our First Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Event.  Memorial Day, formerly known as Decoration Day, is a time to remember those who served our Country but are now departed.  We are going to do that with an early morning “raising of the colors” followed by a brief ceremony.

Joining us will be a large contingent of motorcyclists marshaled by the Orange County Chapter of the Blue Knights.  The Riders will gather for our memorial remembrance ceremony and then depart for a tour of Orange County that ends at the American Legion Post No. 6 at 1714 Legion Road, Chapel Hill. 

We hope you will join us and for the ceremony.  Arrive by about 7:30 am so that you can arrive at the memorial’s flagpole area before the ceremony.  The Orange County Sheriff’s Department Honor Guard prepares for the ceremony at about 07:45 am when they will loosen the lanyard and rig the flag for raising.  They then stand at attention until exactly 08:00 am when the presiding officer calls out, “Attention to Colors!”  and the bugler plays “To the Colors,” as the flag is briskly raised to the top and then lowered to Half Staff to honor Memorial Day.  Everyone remains at “Attention” until the last note is sounded and then hears, “Two” signaling completion of honors.

Your sense of pride should, by then, be welling up inside.  What you have just witnessed is done at every military installation and on every U.S. Navy and Coast Guard ship around the world.  If you have someone serving today, know that they are doing the very same thing somewhere.  It is a time-honored, sacred tradition.  Learn more

We will also have an honored guest and a few brief speakers to share with you other Memorial Day traditions.

The Blue Knights, North Carolina Chapter X, are joining us as Rally Event Marshals and they have invited Riders from Orange and neighboring counties to join them for our remembrance event.  The Blue Knights are our men and women in blue (law enforcement officers) who join together to honor fallen officers and to help support worthy causes.  We expect more than 200 riders and friends.

With riders come flags and motorcycles for a “Rally Tour.”  Riders parade from our Homestead Road site toward Efland, Hillsborough, and stops in between.  Then they will continue on their ride through picturesque back roads of Orange County.  They arrive at the American Legion Chapel Hill Post 6 (1714 Legion Road) at about 10 am.  You are welcome to meet them there and wave them in. 

If you would like to download a schedule of related events for Memorial Day, visit Memorial Day Events.  

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