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For the first time since 2019, due to the pandemic, the public is invited to the South Florida National Cemetery, in suburban Lake Worth for the Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday.
"President Lincoln set up what would become the National Cemetery Administration and Memorial Day is the day that we come together to memorialize our veterans and to not be able to do that for the last two years has just been disheartening."
Cemetery Director Todd Newkirk says the event will include the solemn wreath laying ceremony, along with speeches, a moment of silence and the playing of Taps.
One of the speeches will be from Air Force Captain Bill Arcuri, a former Prisoner of War who spent 55 days in captivity after being shot down in Vietnam. We spoke with Capt. Arcuri last year and he shared his story.
Parking will be in the Target Parking lot North of the cemetery, 5900 State Road 7, starting at 8:00 am. No parking along State Road 7 or inside the cemetery. Buses from the Veterans Administration will transport guests to the cemetery and return them to their vehicles following the ceremony.
Please arrive prior to 9:30 as the ceremony begins promptly at 10:00 a.m.
The Memorial Day Ceremony is made possible with the help of the Palm Beach County Veterans Committee.
Special Instructions: While this will be an outdoor event, all attendees are encouraged to adhere to CDC guidelines, wear masks and maintain physical distancing from other attendees to limit transmission of COVID-19.
National Cemeteries are Federal property, no weapons are permitted on premises, to include those with concealed carry permits.