Memorial Day is around the corner on May 25. Here are some events scheduled around the Midlands intended to honor fallen service men and women. All are open to the public.

Lake Murray VFW Ceremony
Lake Murray VFW Post 6740 will be holding an observance on Memorial Day at 950 Rock ‘n Creek Rd. in Leesville. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. with a keynote address by U.S. Army Col. Brian Pipkin and a bell ceremony to honor fallen soldiers from Leesville.

Fort Jackson National Cemetery Program
Fort Jackson will be hosting a ceremony to honor fallen heroes. The ceremony will start at 10 a.m. on May 25 at 4170 Percival Rd.

Chapin and American Legion Ceremony
The Town of Chapin is partnering with the Chapin American Legion Post 193 for a community ceremony at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day. The ceremony at Chapin Town Hall will honor and remember fallen soldiers and recognize veterans and active-duty service members in Chapin. A reception will be held afterward with refreshments.

Pelion Ruritan Veterans Memorial Day Event
The Pelion Ruritan Club will be hosting a 10 a.m. service on Memorial Day with music by the Pelion High School band and the Soldiers of Faith gospel group. Lt. Col. Timothy Humphries will speak and the Lexington County Sheriff's Department honor guard will perform a 21-gun salute. Attendees will need to bring their own chairs.

Lexington Community Band Memorial Day Concert
The Columbia Community Concert Band and the Congaree New Horizons - Armed Veterans Service Band will be performing at the Icehouse Amphitheater on Memorial Day at 3 p.m.

Congaree Cares & Ebenezer Penecostal Holiness Church's 6th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Program
On Saturday, May 23, at 396 Oak St. in West Columbia, Congaree Cares and Ebenezer Penecostal Holiness Church will be hosting their 6th Annual Memorial Day Remembrance Program. It is a free event that starts at 3 p.m. with exhibitors. At 4 p.m., the program will begin. The Soldiers of Faith Singers, guest speakers and educational organizations will be present. 

Memorial Day Service at Caughman Harman Funeral Home
A Memorial Day service will be held at Caughman Harman Funeral Home at 10 a.m. on Memorial Day. The address is 503 N. Lake Dr. in Lexington. Refreshments will be served following the service. 

According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs website, “Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women. Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a ‘Memorial Day Order’ issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868. The modern proclamation calls on Americans ‘to observe Memorial Day by praying, according to their individual religious faith, for permanent peace.’”

This story has been updated with additional Memorial Day 2026 events since its original publication.