EVENTS
WEST VIRGINIA MEMORIAL DAY COMMITTEE CHURCH SERVICE
Location:
International Mother’s Day Shrine, Downtown Grafton, West Virginia
​
Time and Date:
Sunday May 25, 2025 – 10:00 AM
Pastor Dave Arnold
​
Summary:
Lighting of Candles (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Prelude: Organist Jo Robinson
Prayer: Jessica Barker (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Pledge of Allegiance: D. L. “Robbie” Robinson (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Pastor: Dave Arnold
Sermon: Dave Arnold
Flag Folding (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Presentation of Memorial (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Benediction: Jessica Barker (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
Extinguishing of the Alter Candles (The American Legion Taylor County Post 12)
WEST VIRGINIA NATIONAL CEMETERY PROGRAM
Memorial Day Weekend Program
Location:
West Virginia National Cemetery Pruntytown, West Virginia
​
Time and Date:
Sunday May 25, 2024 – 1:00 PM
​
Summary:
Master of Ceremony Dr. John Stalling
Invocation: Jessica Barker, Chaplain, The American Legion Taylor County Post 12
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 2025 Parade.
“MEMORIAL DAY” CELABRATE, HONOR AND REMEMBER
Theme winner: Evan Densmore from West Taylor Elementary School
Welcome by National Cemetery Director, Rick Colosky
West Virginia National Cemetery Essay Contest Winner, Reagan Taylor, 8th Grade, Taylor County Middle School-1st Place Middle School Division
Introduction of Speaker by Master of Ceremony
Memorial Address Lieutenant Colonel Rachel Morgan, United States Army
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 Jessica Barker, Chaplain, The American Legion Taylor County Post 12
Closing Remarks by Master of Ceremonies
West Virginia Memorial Day Parade
Location:
Intersection of Beech and Yates Avenue
​
Time and Date:
Monday May 26, 2025 – 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, 2025 | Starting at 12:00 PM (Noon) at the end of the parade.
​
Summary:
Master of Ceremony Dr. John Stalling
Invocation Jessica Barker, Chaplain, The American Legion Taylor County Post 12
National Anthem Grafton High School Band
Tolling of the Bell by Taylor County Honor Guard
Welcome by Master of Ceremony
Grafton National Cemetery Essay Contest Winner, Jacob Powell 11th Grade, Grafton High School 1st Place High School Division
Introduction of Speaker by Master of Ceremony
Memorial Address Keynote speaker Jeff Wisely American Legion Department of West Virginia Commander
Second Address Edward Ryan Kennedy Secretary West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance
Musical Selection Grafton High School Entertainers
Presentation of Wreaths Speaker and Essay Winner
Memorial Salute Taylor County Honor Guard
Taps and Echo Grafton Hight School Band
Benediction Jessica Barker, Chaplain, The American Legion Taylor County Post 12
Closing Remarks by Master of Ceremonies