Each year, Memorial Day serves as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by those who gave their lives in service to the United States. On Monday, May 26, communities across the region will gather to honor fallen heroes through parades and ceremonies in Greencastle, Waynesboro, Chambersburg, Mercersburg and at Antietam National Battlefield. These events, organized by local veterans’ groups and the National Park Service, provide an opportunity for residents to pay tribute, reflect on the cost of freedom and ensure the legacy of service endures for future generations.
The Memorial Day parade in Greencastle will take place on Monday, May 26, starting at 10 a.m. on Allison Street. The procession will head west along Baltimore Street and continue on Route 16, concluding at Cedar Hill Cemetery. A commemorative ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. at the cemetery, followed by light refreshments served at the VFW post. This event honors those who have served and sacrificed for the country.
The Combined Veterans Council will host the 2025 Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Waynesboro on Monday, May 26. The parade begins at 9 a.m., proceeding down Main Street, turning right onto South Broad Street, and ending at Memorial Park, where a ceremony will follow immediately. The event will take place rain or shine. In the event of heavy rain, the ceremony will be moved indoors to the American Legion and will begin at 10 a.m.
In Chambersburg the annual parade, organized by the Cumberland Valley 21 Day Retreat Organization, will form at 8:45 a.m. Monday on Fifth Avenue between King Street and Lincoln Way East. The parade will step off at 9:15 a.m., proceeding west to Memorial Square
The annual Memorial Day parade will begin at 8:30 a.m. Monday, May 26, on North Park Street, proceeding up Main Street in Mercersburg and concluding at the entrance to Fairview Cemetery. A memorial service will follow at 9 a.m. at the Memorial Rostrum near the cemetery entrance. All area veterans are encouraged to participate in the day of remembrance. The event is sponsored by Harry Lackhove Post 517 American Legion.
Downtown Hagerstown will honor Memorial Day with its annual parade on Monday, May 26, 2025. The procession begins at 8:30 a.m. on North Park Street, continuing along Main Street and concluding at Fairview Cemetery. Residents and visitors are invited to line the parade route to pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for the nation. The event promises a morning of community spirit and remembrance in the heart of Hagerstown.
The National Park Service will host a Memorial Day program at Antietam National Battlefield on Monday, May 26, at 11 a.m. The event, held at Antietam National Cemetery on Route 34 near Sharpsburg, will feature music by Hagerstown Choral Arts and a performance of Taps by Chief Master Sgt. (retired) Ron Glazer of the 167th Airlift Wing. Dr. Jennifer M. Murray, assistant professor of history at Shepherd University, will deliver the keynote address. A ranger-guided battlefield tour is scheduled for 1 p.m., departing from the visitor center. In preparation for the holiday, Sharpsburg Elementary School fifth graders will have placed 5,000 flags at the cemetery. Additional Memorial Day observances in Sharpsburg included a ceremony at 11 a.m. and a parade at 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 24. Memorial Day, originally known as Decoration Day, honors those who died in service to the United States.
