22-05-2025
Memorial Day 2025: Honor fallen military heroes at South Florida ceremonies and parades
Memorial Day gives us a day off to honor and remember those who have died while serving the United States. For 54 years, it has been officially commemorated on the last Monday in May with ceremonies, parades and flag plantings in cemeteries.
Though for some the federal holiday, which falls on May 26 this year, also signals the unofficial start of summer, there's much more to know and value about Memorial Day — from its origins to time-honored traditions.
Here are five facts from The Memorial Day Foundation:
Memorial Day was first called Decoration Day to honor those who died preserving the Union in the Civil War. It was first observed on May 30, 1868, after Gen. John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, officially made the proclamation earlier that month. The name comes from the act of decorating the graves of soldiers with flowers.
Memorial Day became a national holiday in June 1926 after a joint resolution by Congress that also was updated to honor all Americans who died fighting in wars.
Waterloo, New York, was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon B. Johnson in May 1966.
Soldiers place small American flags at each gravestone at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia on the Thursday before Memorial Day. They patrol 24 hours a day during Memorial Day weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing.
For nearly 25 years, the National Moment of Remembrance has encouraged Americans to pause for a moment of silence at 3 p.m. local time on Memorial Day.
With cities and veterans' organizations throughout South Florida planning special events, here's a city-by-city roundup for Broward and Palm Beach counties. PLEASE NOTE: All events are scheduled for Monday, May 26.
COCONUT CREEK
The Parks and Recreation Department's Memorial Day Ceremony will be at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, 3550 Lyons Road, and include city commissioners, dignitaries, guest speakers and the Coconut Creek Police Department Honor Guard. In the event of inclement weather, the ceremony will take place in the Recreation Complex, 4455 Sol Press Blvd. Free. Visit
CORAL SPRINGS
In partnership with the Veterans Coalition of Coral Springs, the city has planned a Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. at Veterans Park, 8601 Royal Palm Blvd., featuring a Presentation of Colors, Wreath Placement by the Coral Springs Civil Air Patrol, Salute Volley, Honors by the Coral Springs Police Honor Guard, a keynote speaker and more. In case of weather issues, the ceremony will take place at the Coral Springs Gymnasium, 2501 Coral Springs Drive. Free. Visit
DAVIE
The town and the Boy Scouts of America will put on the annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony starting at 10:30 a.m. The parade is set to begin just west of the Davie Fire Administration building, 6901 Orange Drive, then proceed east on Orange Drive to Southwest 65th Way, then north to the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds, 4201 Rodeo Way. The ceremony at 11 a.m. will include guest speakers, town dignitaries, Presentation of Colors, and Folding and Presentation of the Flag. Free. Visit
DEERFIELD BEACH
The city and American Legion's Memorial Day Ceremony — scheduled for 9 a.m. at the Johnny L. Tigner Community Center, 445 SW Second St. — will 'honor and salute the brave men and women of the United States Armed Forces, particularly those who gave their lives in service to preserve our freedom,' according to the Deerfield Beach website. Free. Visit
FORT LAUDERDALE
A Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. will have remarks, Parade of Colors, veterans' recognition, memorial flowers placement, dove release and more at Lauderdale Memorial Park Cemetery, 2001 SW Fourth Ave. Music will be performed by the Fort Lauderdale Symphonic Winds, featuring James Perkowski. Free. Visit
The city and William C. Morris American Legion Post 36 will present a Memorial Day Ceremony at 11 a.m. at the Nininger Statue along the Riverwalk next to the Broward Center for the Performing Arts, 201 SW Fifth Ave. Other participants will include the Sons of American Legion Squad 36, Ladies Auxiliary Unit 36, Robert Bethel American Legion Post 220, 82nd Airborne Veterans and American Veterans for Equal Rights. Free parking will be available in the Broward Center garage. Free. Visit
OAKLAND PARK
American Legion Post 222, along with the city, will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at its headquarters, 4250 NE Fifth Ave., from 11 a.m. to noon. Free. Visit
PARKLAND
A Memorial Day Ceremony will honor fallen heroes at 5:30 p.m. at the Parkland Recreation and Enrichment Center (P-REC) gymnasium, 10559 Trails End, with guest speakers, performances and a Presentation of the Wreath, followed by refreshments. Free. Visit
PEMBROKE PINES
Presentations of Colors, speakers and a wreath placing will be part of the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. Donnith Fletcher Park, 7900 Johnson St. View a live feed of the event via the city's Facebook or Instagram accounts. Free. Visit
PLANTATION
The city will have a Memorial Day Service from 9:30 to 11 a.m. at Veterans Park, 1776 Lauderdale W. Drive. Free. Visit
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POMPANO BEACH
The city's Parks & Recreation Department, in partnership with Public Works, has organized a Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony from 9 to 11 a.m. The parade will start at Wells Fargo Bank, 2401 E. Atlantic Blvd., then continue to the City of Pompano Beach Cemetery, 400 SE 23rd Ave. A ceremony will follow. Free. Visit
SUNRISE
A Memorial Day Ceremony will include a wreath placement, bagpipes, speakers, Piper High School's JROTC Presentation of Colors and more from 9 to 11 a.m. at Sunrise Civic Center Theatre, 10610 W. Oakland Park Blvd. Free. Visit
BOCA RATON
The city will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at 9 a.m. at the Boca Raton Cemetery and Mausoleum, 451 SW Fourth Ave., with flag folding, a wreath presentation and speakers. Limited seating will be provided. Free. Visit
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10556's annual Memorial Day Program will be at 9:30 a.m. at Veteran's Memorial Park, 9400 W. Palmetto Park Road. There will be a Procession of Colors, guest speakers and patriotic music. Visit
DELRAY BEACH
The city's Memorial Day Ceremony is set for 10 a.m. at Delray Beach Memorial Gardens, 901 SW 10th St. Visit
LAKE WORTH
The South Florida National Cemetery, 6501 S. State Road 7, will have its annual Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 am. Visit
LANTANA
The 20th annual 'A Day to Remember' Memorial Day Service will honor special operation forces at 11:50 a.m. at Palm Beach Memorial Park, 3691 N. Seacrest Blvd. There will be speakers, a wreath presentation, dove release, torpedo display, patriotic music and more. Free. Visit
PALM BEACH GARDENS
Flags will be presented by the Palm Beach Gardens Police and Fire-Rescue Honor Guard along with a wreath during a Memorial Day Ceremony starting at 9 a.m. at Veterans Plaza Amphitheater, 10500 N. Military Trail. Free. Visit
ROYAL PALM BEACH
Start with a continental breakfast at 9 a.m. before the Memorial Day Ceremony at 9:30 a.m. at Veterans Park Amphitheater, 1036 Royal Palm Beach Blvd. Free. Visit
WELLINGTON
The village and American Legion Post 390 are planning a Memorial Day Parade & Ceremony, with all veterans invited to participate starting at 8:15 a.m. at Wellington's Village Hall, 12300 Forest Hill Blvd. The parade ends at the Veterans Memorial, on the corner of Forest Hill Boulevard and South Shore Boulevard, to be followed at 8:30 a.m. by a ceremony. Free. Visit
