Memorial Day Ceremony
One of Alabama's largest Memorial Day ceremonies — featuring a flyover, rifle salute, and flag placement on 11,000+ veteran graves.
The Memorial Day Ceremony at Alabama National Cemetery is one of the most significant patriotic observances in the state — a solemn and moving tribute to the men and women who gave their lives in service to the nation, held each year on the hallowed grounds of Montevallo’s national cemetery.
The Ceremony
The 17th annual ceremony was held in 2025, organized by the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery. The event features:
- Military flyover — aircraft in formation over the cemetery
- Rifle salute — a traditional volley fired in honor of the fallen
- Flag placement on every grave — volunteers place flags on more than 11,000 veteran graves before the ceremony
- Patriotic music — live performances throughout the program
- Cannon salute — a thunderous tribute befitting the gravity of the occasion
The ceremony is free and open to the public.
A Volunteer Effort
One of the most powerful aspects of this event is the flag placement itself. Volunteers — often hundreds of them — arrive in the days before Memorial Day to ensure that every grave in the cemetery is marked with an American flag by the time the ceremony begins. The sight of 11,000+ flags standing in the morning light is something visitors remember for a lifetime.
Alabama National Cemetery
Alabama National Cemetery, located at 3133 Highway 119 in Montevallo, is the only national cemetery in Alabama and one of the newer national cemeteries in the country. Its grounds provide a dignified and beautiful setting for this annual act of remembrance.
When
Held annually on Memorial Day — the last Monday in May. The 2026 ceremony is May 25th, beginning at 9:00 AM.