On Monday, May 27th, 11:00 am – 12:00 Noon, veterans and the community are invited to attend the Memorial Day Ceremony at the New Bern National Cemetery located at 1711 National Avenue. On Memorial Day we honor and pay tribute to lives of the men and women buried in the cemetery. All are veterans that took a sacred oath to defend the Constitution of the United Sates against all enemies and to safeguard and guarantee the freedoms we enjoy. Our purpose is not only to honor their memories but preserve and carry their commitment to freedom.

First established on February 1, 1867, New Bern National Cemetery was initially used to reinter remains from the numerous battlefield cemeteries around the area, including nearly 1,000 unknown soldiers and the remains of Union soldiers who died at the Battle of New Bern.

The Memorial Day program will consist of the Invocation, presentation of the National Colors, singing of the National Anthem by Sam Lewis, the Pledge of Allegiance, and introduction of Gold Star Families. Mark Sandvigen, Chairman of the Veterans Council of Craven County (VCCC) will open the ceremony and present our principal speaker, Dr. Ronald E. Walters, PhD, Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs (PDUSMA) for the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and our keynote speaker, Dr. Carrie A. Brown, PhD, D-ABFA, ACC. Dr. Brown is a Supervisory Forensic Anthropologist and Laboratory Manager at the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Laboratory on Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. The close of the program follows with the placing of veteran and community wreaths and sounding of Taps.

The Memorial Day Ceremony is organized and sponsored by the Veterans Council of Craven County, which is composed of representatives from Veteran Services Organizations throughout Craven County. Our special thanks to the Color Guard from the Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, local Scouting Organizations, and cadets from the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) for their much-needed support.

Limited seating is provided; however, it is suggested that attendees bring personal weather protection and lawn chairs. This is a rain or shine event. Should we encounter severe weather, please take personal precautionary measures until the threat has passed.
Please join us and honor our fallen veterans.