On Memorial Day, Americans are invited to join fellow patriotic citizens and Veterans in remembering and saluting those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in military service. Traditionally, multiple generations of families attend their favorite observance ceremony annually to pay respects to men and women who died in military service to the nation.
THE LEXINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
833 West Main Street, Lexington KY 40508 | (859) 255-5522 | www.lexcem.org
The annual observance includes presentation of The Colors, invocation, wreath-laying, remarks by featured speaker, benediction, harmonica and vocal rendition of Amazing Grace, bugler playing “Taps,” and a 3-volley salute by a uniformed rifle team. Participants traditionally include the members of American Legion Man O’ War Post No. 8 and its Ladies Auxiliary.
Speakers at the Lexington National Cemetery Memorial Day Observance since 2001 have been:
2013
Mayor Jim Gray, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
2012 Robert G. Yerks Lieutenant General USA (Ret.)
2011
Steve Parker, COL USAF (Ret.)
Video:
Presentation of Colors / Invocation
Memorial Day Remarks
Placing of the Wreath/Taps/Amazing Grace/Rifle Team/Taps
2010
Bob Kovacic, LTC USA (Ret.)
Video:
Presentation of the Colors
Invocation
Memorial Day Observance Part 1
Memorial Day Observance Part 2
Placing of the Wreath/Taps/Amazing Grace/Rifle Team/Taps
2009
Deputy Commissioner Margaret Plattner, LCDR USN (Ret.)
Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs
Video:
Presentation of the Colors
Welcome/Invocation
Memorial Day Remarks
Placing of the Wreath/Taps/Amazing Grace/Rifle Team/Taps
2008
Mayor Jim Newberry
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
Video
Presentation of the Colors
Invocation/Welcome
Memorial Day Remarks
Placing of the Wreath/Amazing Grace
Rifle Team/Taps
2007
MG Charles E. Gorton USAR, COMMANDING GENERAL
81st Regional Readiness Sustainment Command
Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Video
Presentation of the Colors
Invocation/Welcome
Memorial Day Remarks
Placing of the Wreath/Amazing Grace
Rifle Team/Taps
2006
Lieutenant Colonel Steve Logan, USAR Military Police
2005
Bruce Pieratt, BG KYANG (Ret.)
Mayor Teresa Isaac
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government
2004
U.S. Representative A.B. (Ben) Chandler
2003
Major General William E. Barron
2002
Forest Farley, Director of the Lexington VA Medical Center
2001
U.S. Representative Ernie Fletcher
CAMP NELSON NATIONAL CEMETERY
6980 Danville Road, Nicholasville, KY 40356 | (859) 885-5727
Music, invocation, presentation of The Colors, National Anthem, Pledge of Allegiance, Guest Speaker, placing of a wreath, benediction, rifle salute, canon salute, Taps, God Bless America. Participants traditionally include the West Jessamine High School Band; Camp Nelson Honor Guard, A Company, 1st Regiment, Camp One; US Army Cadet Corps; Blue Star Mothers of Lexington; Caswell Saufley Honor Guard, American Legion, Post 18, Stanford, KY; Central Kentucky Veterans Committee.