Memorial Day Ceremony

Shiloh National Military Park will officially commemorate Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, with a remembrance ceremony at Shiloh National Cemetery.

“This annual Memorial Day event provides the opportunity to reflect upon the personal sacrifices made by our nation’s military service members and their families in defense of our freedoms,” said Acting Superintendent Randy Martin.

The public is invited to bring lawn chairs or blankets and participate in one of the longest continually running Memorial Day services in West Tennessee. The one-hour ceremony will begin at 11:00 a.m. and will include a military flag presentation, patriotic music, a keynote address, a firing salute, and the playing of Taps.

This year’s keynote speaker will be Brigadier General Harold E. Lomenick of the Mississippi National Guard. Brigadier General Lomenick, a respected resident of Iuka, Mississippi, stands as a distinguished businessman and senior officer in the Mississippi National Guard, renowned for his exemplary service, steadfast leadership, and enduring commitment to the betterment of his community. His early endeavors included participation on the Northeast Mississippi Junior/Community College football team, after which he advanced his academic studies at Mississippi State University, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in physical education in 1972 and a Master of Science degree in education in 1976. He further enhanced his military knowledge and leadership capabilities through his completion of the United States Army Command & General Staff College in 1977. In 1980, Brigadier General Lomenick embarked upon a highly successful career as an agent with State Farm Insurance, a position in which he continues to serve with honor and distinction.

In addition to his many professional achievements, Brigadier General Lomenick has demonstrated unwavering dedication to civic service, holding leadership roles in numerous community organizations, including the Iuka Rotary Club, the Tishomingo County Development Foundation, and the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. He has also provided invaluable, forward-thinking leadership to the Iuka Battlefield Commission, guiding its preservation and interpretation initiatives related to the September 1862 Battle of Iuka and ensuring that this historic site is honored and understood by future generations. He is supported in all his endeavors by his devoted wife, Judy, and takes great pride in his daughters, Brandi and her husband Jeff Phillips, and Molly and her husband Jason Daerr, as well as his six grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Throughout his remarkable career, Brigadier General Lomenick has been recognized with numerous prestigious honors, including the Federal Legion of Merit Award and the Mississippi Magnolia Cross Award, reflecting a lifetime of service marked by integrity, dedication, and distinction.

In commemoration of America’s 250^th birthday, we will be laying a wreath at the grave of Shiloh National Cemetery’s sole Revolutionary War veteran, Private George S. Ross. Born on July 16, 1760, in Virginia, George Ross was a Patriot soldier who served in the Southern Campaign of the American Revolutionary War. Enlisting in South Carolina in 1780, he fought under leaders such as Thomas Sumter and Andrew Pickens, participating in key engagements including Rocky Mount and Hanging Rock.

After the war, Ross settled in Tennessee, where he received a land grant for his service and later a pension, with assistance from future president James K. Polk. He died on August 21, 1846, and is now buried at Shiloh National Cemetery, remembered as one of the citizen-soldiers who helped secure American independence.

Following the ceremony, park rangers will offer free guided programs and demonstrations throughout the afternoon. A complete schedule is attached to this news release and will also be available at the Shiloh Visitor Center.

Fee Information

Always Free!