Honoring the Fallen: Memorial Day Observance 2026

Our annual Memorial Day ceremony pays tribute to the fallen men and women who gave their lives in service to our Nation. Guest Speaker – Ami Waldon, Mothers of Veteran Suicide President Ami Waldron, a native of Roanoke, Virginia, has lived in Bedford County, Virginia for the last 21 years. Waldron’s greatest joys are her four children and eight grandchildren. Military service is a significant part of her family’s story spanning across many generations, including a grandfather and many uncles who served in WWII. Waldron’s late stepfather was a Vietnam veteran. Her youngest son, Codey Donahue, an airborne infantryman in the 82nd Airborne, passed away in November 2022. In 2025, Waldron was elected Vice President of Mothers of Veteran Suicide and in April 2026, she became Board President of the organization. Mothers of Veteran Suicide (MOVS) was founded to serve the mothers and families left behind after the loss of a military service member or veteran to suicide. MOVS mission is to provide hope, healing, and support. MOVS focuses on several core programs. Grief Healing Retreats for Mothers is one program where mothers who have lost a military or veteran child to suicide can step away from daily responsibilities and focus on their own healing. The Hope After Loss Initiative connects families to grief counseling, peer support, and resources in their communities. In addition, the Grandmothers Raising Grandchildren Program supports grandmothers who are raising the children left behind, helping provide school supplies, birthday gifts, and Christmas assistance. MOVS also provides free grief counseling for immediate family members through professional partnerships, ensuring families receive clinical support during the most critical months after loss. For more information, please visit MothersofVeteranSuicide.org. Free admission until noon. Guided tours begin at 1PM. Please bring your own chair. No food in plaza. No pets (service animals welcome). Thank you to our Memorial Day 2026 commemoration sponsors.