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- Communities in each Delaware county are hosting parades and services to honor fallen military personnel.
- The Wilmington Memorial Day Parade is noted as the longest continuously running parade in the country.
- Ceremonies will include speakers, music and presentation of wreaths.
Memorial Day is a time to remember the service members who gave their lives for the United States.
The federal holiday is observed on the last Monday of May. This year it’s May 25.
Here are Memorial Day events where you can honor the fallen in Delaware this week:
Middletown Memorial Day Parade 2026
The Middletown community will come together to pay tribute to heroes who paid the ultimate price to protect the country on May 25. This event, presented by Stone Square Lodge No. 22, begins at Redding Middle School. Any organizations interested in joining the parade are invited to send a Facebook message to Stone Square Lodge at facebook.com/stonesquare22.
Parade begins Redding Middle School, 201 New St., Middletown, at 10:30 a.m. May 25. Visit facebook.com/stonesquare22.
Smyrna-Clayton Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony 2026
The Smyrna-Clayton Veterans Monument Committee is organizing a Memorial Day parade and ceremony May 25 In Smyrna with keynote speaker U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. (Retired) William Welser.
The parade starts on Market Street Plaza near the post office and turns east on Commerce Street, then north on Main Street to George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park, across from North Smyrna Elementary. To participate, call Marvin Pedigo, (302) 535-1642.
After the parade, a memorial service will be held at the Smyrna-Clayton Veterans Monument at the park. The monument committee requests donations to maintain the monument. To donate, call Tom Emerson (302) 363-1021 or email at [email protected] be recognized during the ceremony.
Parade starts at Market Street Plaza and West Commerce Street, Smyrna, at 10 a.m. May 25. Ceremony at George C. Wright Jr. Municipal Park, 502 N. Main St., Smyrna, following parade. In case of rain, parade will be canceled but ceremony will be held at Citizens’ Hose Company, 103 W. Commerce St., Smyrna, at 10:30 a.m. May 25.
Dover Memorial Day Ceremony 2026
Vietnam Veterans of America and the Delaware Veterans Coalition are hosting a Memorial Day ceremony May 25 hosted by Dave Skocik, president of the Delaware Veterans Coalition.
Speakers and groups scheduled to participate include the Caesar Rodney High School Air Force Junior ROTC, Lori Christiansen singing the National Anthem, Rev. Bill Downing from Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 850, Dover Mayor Robin Christiansen, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 850 President Mike Burke, Vietnam Veterans of America Delaware State Council President Paul Davis, with “Taps” by Jim Frazier and “Amazing Grace” by the Delaware Celtic Society Pipe Band.
The keynote speaker will be Rhona Prescott, a U.S. Army nurse who served in the Vietnam and co-wrote a book of short stories, “Another Kind of War Story,” with three other combat nurses.
Kent County Veterans Memorial Park, South Little Creek Road, Dover, east of Bay Road and IHOP, near the county administrative complex, at 2 p.m. May 25. Visit https://www.facebook.com/groups/314388395352101/ or email [email protected].
Milford Memorial Day Ceremony 2026
The residents of Milford are welcome to unite in the spirit of deep appreciation to fallen service members at the annual service held in the auditorium of Milford High on May 25. Milford High School, 1019 N. Walnut St., Milford, at 10:30 a.m. May 25. Visit facebook.com/MilfordDEMDC.
Rehoboth Beach Memorial Day Ceremony 2026
A solemn wave of support will rise up at Delaware’s most popular beach to keep afloat memories of the brave individuals who sacrificed it all for the nation. This annual ceremony of fallen troops is led by American Legion Post 5 on May 25.
Rehoboth Beach Bandstand, 1 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach, from 11 a.m. to noon May 25. Visit rehobothbeachde.gov or call (302) 227-6181.
Mt. Zion Cemetery’s Memorial Day Ceremony 2026
The Mt. Zion Cemetery’s 26th annual Memorial Day Ceremony will pay tribute to war veterans and those who fought for Civil Rights in Wilmington. The cemetery is home to prominent African Americans, including jazz legend Clifford Brown, who lives on through the annual Clifford Brown Jazz Festival in downtown Wilmington. Harmon Carey, president of the Friends of Mt. Zion Cemetery, said during the ceremony they’ll take up a special offering to support Mother African Union Church in Wilmington that burned down in a devastating fire on May 17.
Mt. Zion Cemetery (3377 Lancaster Pike, Wilmington) at 11 a.m. May 25.
Bethany Beach Memorial Day Ceremony 2026
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7234 will show respect to the courageous in a service set on the holiday. The ceremony will be held at the Bethany Beach Bandstand on May 25.
Bethany Beach Bandstand, Garfield Parkway at the boardwalk, Bethany Beach, at 11 a.m. May 25. Visit facebook.com/visitbethanybeach, townofbethanybeach.com or call (302) 539-8011.
Wilmington Memorial Day Parade 2026
The Wilmington Memorial Day Parade, branded as the longest continuous parade in the country, will host its 159th annual event this year on May 30. The parade starts at Delaware and Woodlawn avenues and travels to the Soldiers and Sailors Monument on Broom Street. Additionally, Broom Street is where a memorial observance for troops will be held at the end of the parade, presented by the Wilmington Memorial Day Committee.
Parade begins at Delaware and Woodlawn avenues, Wilmington at 6 p.m. May 30. Ceremony after parade near Soldiers and Sailors Monument, Broom Street, Wilmington. Visit facebook.com/WMDParade or wilmingtonmemorialdayparade.com.
Memorial Day service near New Castle
A Memorial Day service will be held May 30 at War Memorial Plaza near New Castle. This annual event is sponsored by the Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs and hosted by the Delaware River and Bay Authority. Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, Delaware Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, U.S. Sen. Chris Coons, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, Delaware Secretary of Veterans Affairs Karen Berry and statewide elected officials are expected to attend. Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. William “Bill” Welser III will be the keynote speaker.
A Memorial Day service will be conducted from 10:30 a.m. to noon May 30 at War Memorial Plaza at the Delaware Memorial Bridge, 163 Cherry Lane near New Castle. Visit vets.delaware.gov/events.
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