Memorial Day community events slated across San Diego County: From the USS Midway to Mt. Soledad
Memorial Day tributes will be held in communities across San Diego County to honor military members who died in service to the country. The holiday, originally called Decoration Day, goes back to the Civil War (1861-1865) and was a time to remember the Union soldiers who died.
The national holiday on the last Monday in May typically includes community gatherings and visits to cemeteries to decorate graves with American flags. This year the holiday falls on May 25. Here's a guide to Memorial Day ceremonies, most are free.
Coronado
A Memorial Day tribute, hosted by Coronado Veterans of Foreign Wars (Post 2422) starts at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25 at Star Park, 1030 Park Place. Highlights include the presentation of colors, keynote speakers, taps and a singing of the national anthem. There is a Memorial Wall at VFW Post 2422 at 557 Orange Ave., where families can honor their veterans on bronze plaques. (619) 435-6917.
Chula Vista
Community members can observe Memorial Day by visiting the city’s Memorial Park, 373 Park Way, and viewing the monument with the names of Chula Vista residents who have died in combat, or by visiting Veterans Park, 785 E. Palomar St., which includes a “Walk of Honor” walkway paved with bricks inscribed with the names of veterans. chulavistaca.gov.
Del Mar
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold its annual community Memorial Day service remembering fallen service members at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25 at 334 14th St. This year’s speaker will be Deacon Pete Martin. The service of hymns and prayer will be followed by a memorial roll call of members of the armed services who died in active duty. The service concludes with the playing of taps. stpetersdelmar.net.
El Cajon
The El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 holds a Memorial Day barbecue and band event with TAPS Across America ceremony from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, May 25 at the lodge, 1400 E. Washington Ave. The menu features barbecued chicken or beef skewer with potato salad, cucumber & onion salad and corn on the cob; limited pre-sale meals. The featured band is “Nitro Express.” The entry fee is $5; the meal is $10. Visit elks.org/lodges/home.cfm?LodgeNumber=1812. (619) 444-1812.
Community members can join Taps Across America with a live taps bugle call at 3 p.m. May 25 at the flagpole of First Presbyterian Church, 500 Farragut Circle. Thousands of participants across the country will sound the 24 notes of the most solemn bugle call, taps, to honor and remember fallen military members. All are welcome to attend.firstpres-elcajon.org
Encinitas
American Legion Post 416 hosts a Memorial Day ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25 at 210 W. F St., with food and music after the salute to the fallen. This year's theme is "Remembering a Century of Service," which reflects both the legacy of Post 416, which was founded in 1932, and the generations of Americans who have served the country. sdpost416.org.
Escondido
The Memorial Day ceremony will be held at 9 a.m. Monday, May 25 at Oak Hill Memorial Park, 2640 Glenridge Road. This year’s ceremony will be hosted by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1513 and 1513 Auxiliary, Disabled American Veterans Chapter 70 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1147. Highlights will include posting of colors, singing of the national anthem and the Pledge of Allegiance led by Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops along with a bugler. To present a wreath, email commander70@davcal.org. Visit northcountycemeterydistrict.com.
Fallbrook
A Memorial Day ceremony will be at 11 a.m. May 25 at the Masonic Cemetery, 1177 Santa Margarita Drive, followed by lunch at noon at Fallbrook Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1924 at 1175 Old Stage Road.fallbrookvfw.org.
Julian
A memorial observance is from 11 a.m. to noon Monday May 25 at Julian Pioneer Cemetery, at A Street at Farmer Road, weather permitting. A potluck will follow at American Legion Post 468 at 2503 Washington St. (760) 765-0126.
La Jolla
The Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial will honor the nation’s heroes in a tribute event at 11 a.m. May 25 at Mount Soledad, 6905 La Jolla Scenic Drive S. This year’s event honors Cpl. Patrick Gallagher, who earned the Navy Cross during the Vietnam War for heroically shielding his fellow Marines from a live grenade. The Navy destroyer, the USS Patrick Gallagher, was named after him. Highlights will include Presentation of Colors, military band performance, remarks by military and civic leaders and Missing Man Formation flyover, 21-gun rifle volley and Taps. Free parking is at Mount Soledad Presbyterian Church and the French American School. Suggested arrival time is 10:30 a.m. memorialdaylive.com
North County
Bugles Across America is partnering with Stater Bros. Markets to host a bugler to play a rendition of taps after a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day at some Stater Bros. locations, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the country. Local participating locations include 1048 N. El Camino Real, Encinitas, 9909 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego and 13589 Poway Road, Poway. All stores will observe a moment of silence at 3 p.m.
Oceanside
The local chapter of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War, Sgt. William Pittenger Camp 21, will hold a Memorial Day Ceremony at 1 p.m. May 23 at the Oceanview Cemetery, 512 Godfrey St. https://suvpac.org/camp21/.
The Veterans Association of North County hosts a Memorial Day ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, May 25 in the VANC Resource Center, 1617 Mission Ave. The keynote speaker is retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Anthony Jackson, former Commanding General, Marine Corps Installations West/former director California State Parks. Free lunch will be served after the program. RSVP required at https://www.vanc.me/memorial-day-ceremony .
Eternal Hills Memorial Park holds its 40th annual Memorial Day remembrance at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25 at Eternal Hills, 1999 El Camino Real. The ceremony includes a commemorative bell toll to honor fallen heroes. The program will close with a benediction followed by a white dove release. A free lunch will be offered. (760) 754-6600, dignitymemorial.com.
The Mission San Luis Rey Parish will hold Memorial Day Mass at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25 in the Cemetery Chapel. All are welcome. Also, the daily masses are at 8 a.m. in the Parish Chapel and noon in the historic Mission Church. sanluisreyparish.org.
Ramona
VFW Post 3783 will hold ceremonies at 10 a.m. Monday May 25 at Nuevo Memory Gardens, 532 Ash St. and 11 a.m. at the World War II Memorial at the 9th Street ballfield and noon at the Vietnam Memorial off state Route 67 at the Schwaesdall Winery, 17677 Rancho De Oro Drive. A community picnic is afterwards at VFW Post 3783; bring a side dish to share. (760) 789-7888.
Rancho Bernardo
A Memorial Day ceremony at the Rancho Bernardo Veterans Memorial begins at 11 a.m. Monday, May 25 at Webb Park, 11666 Avena Place. Participants will include members of the Brigadier Gen. J.P. Holland Chapter, Military Order of World Wars, Veterans of Foreign Wars and Scouts from BSA Troop 685 along with the Rancho Bernardo High School Madrigals choir. The keynote speaker is retired Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Paul Lebidine. Master of Ceremonies is retired Marine Corps Col. Daren Erickson. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. rbvma.org
San Diego
A series of events will take place as part of the USS Midway Museum’s annual Legacy Week lineup May 22-25. A Memorial Day Wreath-Laying Ceremony is at 9 a.m. Monday, May 25. Later that day, Memorial Day performances feature the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Arizona Band at 11 a.m., Desert Valley Winds Ensemble at 12:15 p.m. and 2:15 p.m. and Bonita Vista High School's Music Machine at 1:15 p.m. on the flight deck. A National Moment of Remembrance is at 3 p.m. Meet more than 100 veteran military aviators and hear their stories from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on May 24 on the flight deck. A Top Gun 40th Celebration is May 22 and May 23 with a separate ticket. A remembrance wall will be on view May 22-25 in the Hangar Bay honoring fallen heroes. https://www.midway.org/event/legacy-week-2026
The 15th annual Memorial Day Ceremony is at 1 p.m. May 24 at Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Drive, in the newly dedicated Memorial Amphitheater. The theme is America 250: A Tribute to Service and Sacrifice. The keynote speaker is retired Navy Captain Steven “Shep” Shepard. Music will be performed by the Westwind Brass Band. There will also be a bugler and bagpiper to pay tribute to fallen service men and women. miramarcemetery.org
A Memorial Day celebration at the Logan Heights Veterans Memorial Monument will be held at 11 a.m. May 25 at the Memorial Monument in the 1900 block of Logan Avenue across from Chicano Park. The program includes taps, raising of the flag, the national anthem, prayers, reading of names of past veterans. Guest speakers include Father Mike Lee of Logan Heights Lady of Guadalupe Church and 94-year-old U.S. Army Sgt. First Class Alfred G. Gonzalez, a Korean War veteran, who continues to travel throughout California with the 82nd Airborne Association Color Guard to ensure that veterans are laid to rest with dignity.
The 3rd annual Operation Flags for Vets is at noon May 23 at Miramar National Cemetery 5795 Nobel Drive, sponsored by the Military Coordinating Committee of Rotary District 5340. Volunteers will be placing 23,000 American Flags on the gravesites of military Veterans for Memorial Day. Volunteers are also needed at 3 p.m. May 26 to pick up the American Flags. Visit https://rotary5340.org/ or www.bit.ly/4tszGjk
The nonprofit San Diego Veterans For Peace will set up its “Hometown Arlington West Memorial,” on display from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25 on the front lawn of the USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive. Chapter veterans from five branches of services will honor several hundred comrades from Southern California who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There will be memorial markers and the public is asked to stop by, read their names and reflect on their sacrifice. sdvfp.org
The annual Bouquet Ride is May 23 to honor heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country. More than 200 cyclists are expected to join the Fallen Hero Honor Ride, which starts at 9 a.m. from California Bicycle, Inc., 7462 La Jolla Blvd. and heads to Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. Kevin, Jill and Jason Millard, owners of California Bicycle, Inc., are among the Gold Star Families that will be recognized at the event. There will be a laying of wreaths and flowers for all of the fallen, followed by brief comments. Ride time to the site is about one hour. Refreshments will be provided. On May 25, all are invited to the national Memorial Day honor ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. fortrosecransmemorialday.com
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery hosts a flag placement event at 8 a.m. May 23 at the cemetery, 1700 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, and volunteers are needed to place flags on gravesites. Volunteers are also needed to remove flags at 9 a.m. May 26. 619-553-2084.
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery hosts a Memorial Day service and Day of Remembrance at 10 a.m. Monday, May 25 at the cemetery at 1700 Cabrillo Memorial Drive. The program also features patriotic music performances. It is recommended to arrive early. Parking is off-site in the Navy parking lot east of the traffic light at Electron Drive and right off Catalina Boulevard. https://fortrosecransmemorialday.com/
SeaWorld San Diego will honor those who protect the country during Military Appreciation Weekend May 23-24. A flag ceremony with the Marine Corps Air Station Miramar Color Guard will be at 10 a.m. as the park opens. For military discounts, visit WavesofHonor.com
San Marcos
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 3795, San Marcos will have a Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. May 25 with patriotic music, presentation of colors, Pledge of Allegiance and speakers at the San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive. A barbecue follows at the Post 3795. There will also be a San Diego Blood Bank drive. For questions, email post3795@att.net. https://vfw3795.org/di/vfw/v2/default.asp
The 21st annual Memorial Day “Hoist” to honor the fallen who died in service to the country starts at 5:45 Monday, May 25 at Churchill’s Pub & Grille, 887 W. San Marcos Blvd. The event begins with Mounting of the Service Colors, followed by a guest speaker and then the observance, and will conclude at 7 p.m. with a moment of silence during eight bells and the playing of taps. churchillspub.us.
Solana Beach
A Memorial Day ceremony will be held from 11 a.m. to noon Monday, May 25 in the Veterans Honor Courtyard at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The event is hosted by the City of Solana Beach and Solana Beach Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5431. There will be light refreshments. (858) 720-2453.
Vista
The Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7041 and American Legion Post 365 will host a Memorial Day Ceremony at 10 a.m. Monday May 25 at Vista City Hall, 200 Civic Center Drive. The featured speaker is Vista Mayor John Franklin. Visit vistapost.org.
A Memorial Day Military, Fire and Law Appreciation Day will be observed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 25 at The Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Drive. Admission is free for active or retired military, fire or law enforcement officers on Memorial Day as a thank you for their service. Valid active-duty or retired ID must be shown at the ticket booth to receive one free admission for each ID and up to six additional tickets may be purchased for $12 each with each valid ID. Dependent IDs are valid for discounted admission only, not free admission. thewavewaterpark.com
If you know about a community Memorial Day event that's not listed here, let us know by emailing linda.mcintosh@sduniontribune.com.
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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 7:06 PM.