MANDAN, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at noon (Central Time), Monday, May 25, at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 6.5 miles south of Mandan on North Dakota Highway 1806. This annual event, hosted by the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery and North Dakota National Guard, honors all deceased American servicemen and women and is free to the public. The first observance was held in 1993.
Attendees are encouraged to arrive early because of expected large crowds and the motorcycle honor run. Since seating is limited, bringing lawn chairs is recommended.
Those who are only dropping off flowers for Memorial Day grave decorations we encourage to be finished and exited facility by 9:30 a.m.
Handicap-marked vehicles are encouraged to arrive before 10:30 a.m. Drivers should ensure handicap credentials and decals are readily visible to parking attendants. Shuttle vehicles will be available to transport attendees from parking areas to the ceremony area. Attendees are encouraged not to drive large vehicles, such as recreational vehicles, campers, or tow trailers due to constrained parking.
The keynote speaker is U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Mitch Johnson, the North Dakota National Guard adjutant general.
Gov. Kelly Armstrong, Sen. John Hoeven, and Sen. Kevin Cramer are also scheduled to render remarks. The emcee is retired Chief Warrant Officer 5 Shelly Sizer. Sizer retired from the North Dakota Army National Guard as the command chief warrant officer and served in the military for 40 years. She also was appointed as the Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army in 2021 and held that position until the program ended in 2025.
The North Dakota Army National Guard’s Fargo-based 188th Army Band’s “Cover Down” Brass Quintet will perform “How Great Thou Art” as well as pre-ceremony music. Also participating in the ceremony are local Veteran and civic organizations.
The national anthem will be performed by U.S. Army Sgt. Ben Helfrich and U.S. Army Sgt. Natalie Helfrich, both with the 188th Army Band, Taps performed by Colton Friesz, and the Dakota Leathernecks will render a rifle-salute volley.
The North Dakota National Guard Military Funeral Honors Team will execute a 21-gun cannon salute with a World War I-era French 75-millimeter cannon. Father Dustin Johns of Ascension Catholic Church will provide the opening and closing prayers.
In support of this ceremony, the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club will organize a motorcycle Honor Run at “The Shop” (131 Airport Road) in Bismarck. Participants will leave Bismarck at 11 a.m., head west on Main Street, and cross the Liberty Memorial Bridge to Mandan’s Memorial Highway. After turning west on Mandan’s 3rd Street SE, the motorcyclists will head south on North Dakota Highway 1806 until they reach the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery. All motorcyclists and passengers are invited to participate, and no pre-coordination is required. Please arrive on your motorcycle between 10 a.m. and 10:45 a.m.
Bus transportation will be available for the public to and from the ceremony. Park you vehicle at the Mandan Family Fare Supermarket parking lot, 500 Burlington Street, SE. A 30-passenger bus, donated by Nightlife Limousine. Bus will arrive at 9:15 a.m. and depart at 10:15 a.m.
In honor of Memorial Day, Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park will host a Military Appreciation Day by offering free admission and tours to military members, Veterans, and their families. This state park is located adjacent to the Veterans cemetery. For additional information about Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, please call 701-667-6340.
The ceremony will also be live streamed at ndguard.nd.gov through the North Dakota National Guard YouTube page. The event can also be found on Facebook.
The North Dakota Veterans Cemetery was established by an act of the 1989 North Dakota Legislative Assembly. The cemetery was opened in July 1992 and is operated by the Office of the North Dakota adjutant general.