Memorial Day & Veterans Day Services at Lejeune Memorial Gardens

Few places in America carry the weight of Lejeune Memorial Gardens. Home to the Onslow Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Beirut Memorial, the Montford Point Marine Memorial, and the 9/11 Memorial Beam, it's the spiritual heart of veterans remembrance in Jacksonville. Two services a year fill the gardens with families, fellow service members, and the wider community.

Where

• Lejeune Memorial Gardens
• 100 Montford Landing Road, Jacksonville, NC 28540
• Free admission, open to the public
• Plenty of parking on-site; arrive 30 minutes early for the best spots

Memorial Day Service

Last Monday in May. Memorial Day at Lejeune Memorial Gardens honors all American service members who have fallen in service to the country. The ceremony typically includes:

• Posting of the colors by a Marine color guard from Camp Lejeune
• National anthem and invocation
• Remarks from senior Marine leadership
• Wreath-laying at the memorials
• Volley of rifle fire and the playing of Taps

Service generally starts around 11:00 AM and runs about an hour. Bring a folding chair or be prepared to stand. Dress respectfully — military families often attend in full uniform.

Veterans Day Service

November 11. Veterans Day at Lejeune Memorial Gardens honors all who have served — living and deceased. The ceremony has a similar structure to Memorial Day, with an emphasis on recognizing veterans in attendance and reading the names of fallen Onslow County service members.

What to Know If You're New to the Area

For families newly stationed at Camp Lejeune or recently arrived to Jacksonville, attending one of these services is one of the most powerful introductions to what this community is about. You'll see active-duty Marines standing alongside Vietnam veterans, Gold Star families, and locals whose connection to military service goes back generations.

• Quiet respect. Phones silenced, no chatter during ceremony elements.
• Children welcome. Bring them — this is exactly the kind of event that shapes how the next generation understands sacrifice.
• Photos OK. Standard photography is fine, but step well back during wreath-laying and Taps.

Visiting the Gardens Any Time

The memorial grounds are open year-round for quiet visits. Many local nonprofits hold smaller observances throughout the year, including 9/11 anniversary services and Beirut Memorial gatherings every October 23rd.

Check with the Beirut Memorial Foundation or the City of Jacksonville for confirmed times each year — schedules can shift slightly based on weather and command priorities.