EVENTS
WEST VIRGINIA MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE CHURCH SERVICE
Location:
International Mother’s Day Shrine, Downtown Grafton, West Virginia
Time and Date:
Sunday May 24, 2026 – 10:30 AM
Pastor Dave Arnold
Summary:
Location: International Mother’s Day Shrine, Downtown Grafton, West Virginia
Sunday May 24, 2026– 10:30 AM
Lighting of Candles
Prelude: Organist Jo Robinson
Prayer: Maria Saunders, VFW Department Chaplain
Pledge of Allegiance: VFW Taylor County Memorial Post #3081
Pastor: Dave Arnold
Sermon: Dave Arnold
Flag Folding (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Presentation of the memorial wreath by VFW Taylor County Memorial Post #3081
Benediction: Maria Saunders VFW Department Chaplain
Extinguishing of the Alter Candles
WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL CEMETERY PROGRAM
Memorial Day Weekend Program
Location:
West Virginia National Cemetery Pruntytown, West Virginia
Time and Date:
Sunday May 24, 2026 – 1:00 PM
Summary:
Master of Ceremony Dr. John Stalling
Invocation: Maria Saunders VFW Department Chaplin
National Anthem Taylor County Middle School Band Under direction of Joshua Chiado
Welcome by Master of Ceremony, Dr. John Stallings
Announce the Theme and winner for the 2026 Parade. The theme is:
“Where Heroes Rest, Freedom Lives”
The Theme winner is Benjamin “Benji” Cox, 4th Grade, Anna Jarvis Elementary School
Welcome by National Cemetery Director, Rick Colosky
Special Presentation- West Virginia Memorial Day Committee
West Virginia National Cemetery Essay Contest Winner, Owen Everett, 8th Grade Taylor County Middle School
1st Place Middle School Division
Introduction of Speaker Corrina M. Boggess VFW Department Commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Special Message From Corrina M. Boggess VFW Department Commander
Introduction of Speaker Andrew Sockett VFW Southern Conference Chaplain by Master of Ceremony
Memorial Address Andrew Sockett VFW Southern Conference Chaplain
Musical Selection Taylor County Middle School Choir Under the direction of Sara Chiado
Presentation of Wreath (Speaker and Essay Winner)
Memorial Salute Taylor County Honor Guard
Taps and Echo by Taylor County Middle School
Benediction Maria Saunders VFW Department Chaplin
Closing Remarks by Master of Ceremonies
West Virginia Memorial Day Parade
Location:
Intersection of Beech and Yates Avenue
Time and Date:
Monday May 25, 2026 – Parade begins 10:00 AM
GRAFTON NATIONAL CEMETERY PROGRAM
Memorial Day Weekend Program
Location:
Memorial Service at Grafton National Cemetery
Time and Date:
Monday May 26, 2026 | Starting at 1:00 PM at the end of the parade.
Summary:
Master of Ceremony Mr. John Stalling
Invocation Maria Saunders VFW Department Chaplin
National Anthem Grafton High School Band
Welcome by Master of Ceremony
Grafton National Cemetery Essay Contest Winner, Jayci Larew, 11th Grade Grafton High School
1st Place High School Division
Introduction of Speaker Corrina M. Boggess VFW Department Commander
Veterans of Foreign Wars
Special Message From Corrina M. Boggess VFW Department Commander
Introduction of Speaker Doug Flohr by Master of Ceremony
Memorial Address Keynote speaker Doug Flohr
Musical Selection Grafton High School Entertainers Edition 55 Duretha Maye, Director
Presentation of Wreaths Speaker and Essay Winner
Memorial Salute Taylor County Honor Guard
Taps and Echo Grafton Hight School Band
Benediction Maria Saunders VFW Department Chaplin
Closing Remarks by Master of Ceremonies