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Friday, May 22, 2026
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Memorial Day 2026 – Monday, May 25.
The people of the United States of America have been observing Memorial Day since May 30, 1868. On that day flowers were placed on the graves of American soldiers at the Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
On Memorial Day, and all other days, we remember soldiers that have fallen, those that are missing and all of those that have served.
Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971.
Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings, and participating in parades.
In 1868, General Logan, a Civil War veteran who was then serving as commander-in-chief of a group of Union veterans, ordered the decoration of Union graves with flowers on May 30. The day would ultimately be known as ‘Memorial Day.’ It took a long time for Memorial Day to become a federal holiday.
Here are some facts to give the holiday some perspective.
MEMORIAL DAY BEGAN AS A RESPONSE TO THE CIVIL WAR.
Memorial Day was a response to the unprecedented carnage of the Civil War, in which a total of some 620,000 soldiers died. The loss of life and its effect on communities led to several spontaneous commemorations of the dead.
In 1864, women from Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, put flowers on the graves of their fallen soldiers from the just-fought Battle of Gettysburg. The next year, a group of women decorated the graves of soldiers buried in a Vicksburg, Mississippi, cemetery.
Two years later, women from Columbus, Mississippi, laid flowers on the graves of both Union and Confederate soldiers. In the same month, in Carbondale, Illinois, 219 Civil War veterans marched through town to Woodlawn Cemetery in memory of the fallen, where Union hero Major General John A. Logan delivered the principal address. The ceremony gave Carbondale its claim to the first organized, community-wide Memorial Day observance.
Waterloo, New York, began holding an annual community service on May 5, 1866. Although many towns claimed the title, it was Waterloo that won congressional recognition as the “Birthplace of Memorial Day.”
MEMORIAL DAY WAS ORIGINALLY KNOWN AS DECORATION DAY.
The holiday was long known as Decoration Day for the practice of decorating graves with flowers, wreaths, and flags. The name “Memorial Day” goes back to 1882, but the older name didn’t disappear until after World War II. It wasn’t until 1967 that federal law declared “Memorial Day” the official name.
The World War I poem “In Flanders Fields,” by John McCrea, inspired the Memorial Day custom of wearing red artificial poppies. In 1915, a Georgia teacher and volunteer war worker named Moina Michael began a campaign to make the poppy a symbol of tribute to veterans and for “keeping the faith with all who died.” The sale of poppies has supported the work of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
EACH MEMORIAL DAY IS A LITTLE DIFFERENT.
There’s no question that Memorial Day is a solemn event. Still, don’t feel too guilty about doing something frivolous (like hosting a barbecue) over the weekend. After all, you weren’t the one who instituted the Indianapolis 500 on May 30, 1911. That credit goes to Indianapolis businessman Carl Fisher. The winning driver that day was Ray Harroun, who averaged 74.6 mph and completed the race in six hours and 42 minutes.
Gravitas returned on May 30, 1922, when the Lincoln Memorial was dedicated. Supreme Court Chief Justice (and former president) William Howard Taft dedicated the monument before a crowd of 50,000 people, segregated by race, and which included a row of Union and Confederate veterans. Lincoln’s surviving son, Robert Todd Lincoln, also attended.
In 2000, Congress established a National Moment of Remembrance, which asks Americans to pause for one minute at 3 p.m. in an act of national unity. The time was chosen because 3 p.m. “is the time when most Americans are enjoying their freedoms on the national holiday.”
Not only is Memorial Day an important time to remember those who have given the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country, but it is a day to spend quality time with family and friends as a kickoff to summer. The holiday weekend is usually filled with large gatherings, parades, picnics, or weekend trips.
As summer travel season starts full swing and as you make your plans, there are a few things to know before you hit the road. Make sure all of your travels will be safe and enjoyable this holiday weekend and beyond by knowing what the road ahead will bring.
To make a trip safer and less stressful:
*Plan ahead. Go to www.tripcheck.com to see the latest road conditions, closures, and delays. Make sure to check the entire route.
*Leave early and allow plenty of time to get to the destination.
*Follow the speed limit.
*Be alert. Be patient. Share the road.
*Remember to pack water, snacks and other emergency kit supplies in case the trip is delayed.
*Use special caution in work zones. Work crews may not be present during holiday weekends, but some work zones may remain set up for safety.
ODOT says Memorial Day weekend is expected to be one of the busiest on record with over 600,000 people in Oregon expected to drive to their holiday destination.
Plan ahead for summer travel, including wildfire prevention, across Oregon
Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial start of summer travel season in Oregon, with more people heading to the coast, mountains and destinations across the state. Summer often brings busier travel, more construction, and increased wildfire and smoke impacts across the state.
Safe summer trips start before you leave home.
“Summer in Oregon means road trips, recreation and exploring everything our state has to offer,” ODOT Interim Director Lisa Sumption said. “It also means more traffic, more construction work and greater wildfire danger. A little planning and attention behind the wheel can make a big difference in keeping everyone safe.”
Travel safely during wildfire season — Hot, dry summer conditions can turn a single spark into a fast-moving wildfire. Vehicle-related fires are a concern during wildfire season, making simple prevention especially important for summer travelers. Wildfires and smoke can also create dangerous driving conditions, including poor visibility, sudden traffic changes and unexpected road closures.
Drivers can help reduce fire risk by:
- Never throwing cigarettes or other flammable materials from a vehicle.
- Making sure parts like mufflers or trailer chains are secure and not dragging, which can create sparks.
- Checking tire pressure, wheel bearing lubrication and worn brakes to avoid metal-on-metal contact.
- Parking only on gravel or developed pull-outs, where hot exhaust systems are less likely to ignite dry grass.
If you encounter smoke, slow down and increase following distance. Turn on your headlights using low beams, since high beams can make visibility worse, and keep windows closed with your vehicle’s air system set to recirculate. Stay alert for emergency responders, stopped vehicles and changing traffic patterns. If visibility becomes unsafe, pull off the road only when you can do so safely and well clear of travel lanes.
Smoke and wildfire activity can change quickly and lead to sudden road closures. Check conditions before you leave and during your trip, and consider delaying travel if visibility is poor.
Travelers can find additional wildfire prevention information from Keep Oregon Green and the Oregon Department of Forestry.
Travel smart: plan ahead and be prepared — Summer is one of the busiest construction and maintenance seasons for Oregon highways. Crews will be repairing roads, preserving bridges, striping highways, clearing vegetation and responding to incidents statewide. Conditions can also vary dramatically across Oregon, even in summer.
Before and during your trip:
- Use TripCheck.com for road conditions, traffic cameras, incidents, construction impacts and delay information.
- Check weather forecasts, especially for heat, smoke or summer storms.
- Pack water, medications, snacks and emergency supplies in case your journey lasts longer than you expected.
- Fuel up or charge before traveling, especially through remote areas or over mountain passes.
- Leave extra travel time, especially on holiday weekends.
- Slow down in work zones, move over for flashing lights, and put your phone away so you can stay alert.
Consider public transportation, ridesharing or carpooling to reduce congestion, lower travel costs and make the journey less stressful. Public transportation options like POINT bus service and Amtrak Cascades can be a great alternative to driving for some trips. It costs $5 to book your bike on Amtrak, and you can bring your bike on POINT for free, though space is limited.
Drivers can expect two major closures on I-5 in Portland this year, an overnight full closure of I-5 in July and a closure of all southbound lanes of I-5 in the Rose Quarter for up to five weeks in mid-September. To learn more about the Rose Quarter project and related traffic impacts, sign up for alerts.
Share the road — Summer means more motorcycles, bicyclists, pedestrians, farm equipment and travelers unfamiliar with local roads. Sharing the road safely means staying sober, avoiding distractions, following posted speed limits and wearing your seatbelt. Give extra space to motorcycles and people biking or walking, and remember that people on bicycles may use the full lane to avoid obstacles, narrow roads or drop-off shoulders. Patience goes a long way, especially in heavy traffic.
Whether you’re headed across town or across the state, your choices behind the wheel help protect everyone on the road.
As of May 2026, Oregon’s 2026 wildfire season is already underway and officials warn of a severe, early, and prolonged season due to historic heat, drought, and low snowpack, making Memorial Day weekend (May 23–25, 2026) a high-risk period.
Many areas, particularly in Southern Oregon, officially began fire season on May 15, 2026, with strict regulations in place, including a prohibition on debris burning and strict limitations on fireworks and ammunition.
🚨 Crucial Reminders for Memorial Day Weekend 2026:
- Human-Caused Risk: Over 70% of Oregon wildfires are human-caused.
- Burn Ban: As of May 15th, debris burning is banned in many districts.
- Campfire Safety: Only build campfires in designated, cleared, and maintained campgrounds. Ensure they are fully extinguished with water (not dirt).
- BLM Land Restrictions: Starting May 14th, a special fire prevention order is in effect on all Bureau of Land Management lands in Oregon, banning fireworks, exploding targets, and steel-component ammo.
- Vehicle Safety: Avoid parking on dry grass. Secure trailer chains and check tire pressure to prevent sparks.
- Check Local Restrictions: Before heading out, check the Keep Oregon Green website or local BLM and ODF district maps for specific closures.
With above-normal fire danger expected throughout the summer, all residents and visitors must exercise extreme caution
Oregon State Parks’ three tips for safer campfires
Oregon State Parks joins Oregon Department of Forestry and other local, state and national partners in recognizing May as Wildfire Awareness Month.
– Campfires are a beloved tradition when visiting Oregon State Parks, and staff encourage visitors to enjoy them safely when and where permitted.
Everyone at the campsite should be familiar with campfire safety, including children. Always keep an eye on campfires; accidental fires can start even when campers leave their fire unattended for a short time.
Three tips for safer campfires
- Build them only where allowed. Check online to see if campfires are allowed where you’re going or ask a park ranger. In some cases, even propane fire rings may not be allowed.
- Build them safely. Only build campfires in the existing fire ring at your campsite, which are put in specific areas away from vegetation. If using a propane fire ring, keep it away from vegetation and overhanging branches. At the beach, only build campfires where permitted on open sand. Keep water close and keep flames below knee height, about two feet.
- Put them out completely. Pour water over the flames and stir it into the embers to make sure everything is wet. Repeat this until you no long feel heat coming from the embers. Do not use sand to put out fires; it can insulate the coals and keep them hot for days.
Education is the top priority for rule enforcement, but rangers also have the option of issuing a Class A violation for significant violations or for multiple violations with a presumptive fine of up to $400.
In addition, explosives and fireworks are not allowed in state parks or the ocean shore because they pose a danger to visitors, wildlife and the landscape. High winds, flammable vegetation and the unpredictability of fireworks create a unique hazard particularly in crowded areas.
Resources
Websites
- Oregon State Parks campfire rules and current campfire bans. Campfire regulations in Oregon Administrative Rules.
- Oregon Department of Forestry’s wildfire information web page.
- Oregon State Fire Marshal’s wildfire prevention web page.
- Oregon Department of Emergency Management Oregon Wildfire Response and Recovery website.
- Oregon Department of Environmental Quality smoke advisories.
- Oregon Department of Transportation TripCheck website for road conditions.
Social media
For breaking news and information, follow the social media accounts for Oregon State Parks, Oregon Department of Forestry, Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, Oregon Department of Transportation, and Oregon Department of Emergency Management.
Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs to Host Statewide Memorial Day Event in Salem
The Oregon Department of Veterans’ Affairs will host Oregon’s annual Statewide Memorial Day Ceremony in person at 11 a.m., Monday, May 25 in view of the Oregon State Capitol Building.
This event honors Oregon’s fallen service members from all eras of service and will feature remarks by dignitaries and special guests along with ceremonial elements including a color guard, singing of the national anthem, a wreath laying and the playing of “Taps.”
The ceremony will be hosted at the Oregon State Capitol State Park, located directly across the street from the front entrance of the Oregon State Capitol Building, 900 Court Street NE in Salem. This event is being temporarily relocated from its traditional annual location at the World War II Memorial due to adjacent construction taking place on the Capitol grounds.
The event is open to the public, and uncovered seating will be provided for attendees. Accessible pathways and seating areas for those needing accommodations will also be available. Attendees are reminded to plan accordingly for Oregon weather.
For those unable to attend in person, the ceremony will also be livestreamed on ODVA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/odvavet.
Statewide Memorial Day Events — In addition to the Capitol ceremony, ODVA maintains a Statewide Memorial Day Events Calendar highlighting local observances and community celebrations honoring Oregon’s fallen heroes.
Memorial Day Oregon | May 25, 2026 — Guide to Observances Around the State
Oregon has a long, truly remarkable tradition of formal, civic observance of Memorial Day, the last Monday of every May set aside from work, under federal law, to remember those who have died during their U.S. military service.
The diversity and depth of Memorial Day commemorations around the state are testaments to the power and dedication of people. Over the years, local veterans groups, supporting municipal governments and citizens in each area of Oregon have helped organize and attend these ceremonial Memorial Day events.
As a result, Oregonians are fortunate to have many Memorial Day observances across the State from which to choose. Each commemoration reflects a community’s unique local customs. Each is tinged with its own richness and meaning. MORE INFO: https://memorialdayoregon.com
Use the interactive State Map to find a Memorial Day event near you, get full details & directions, then go attend. https://memorialdayoregon.com/index.php/maps/
Memorial Day Parades in Oregon
There are not as many Memorial Day parades as in the past. However, on the morning of Memorial Day in Oregon, people in some cities (Klamath Falls, Prineville, Reedsport, Seaside, Wasco) still maintain the tradition, going back to the founding of Memorial Day, of having full-fledged parades. These processions wind their way through main streets and/or neighborhoods and are truly remarkable events to be a part of.
Oregonians who are physically challenged to get out to a parade, but want to experience one can tune into to the spectacular National Memorial Day Parade in Washington DC at 11:00am PST.
Memorial Day Services in Oregon
The bedrock Memorial Day event for most locales in Oregon is at least one solemn and inspiring public service. Honored citizens place beautiful wreaths. A bugler plays taps. A local band plays inspiring patriotic music. High-ranking military or government officials make speeches. Ceremonies are often highlighted by gun or canon salutes and/or military flyovers. Oh, and there are often food and drinks afterwards!
In Oregon, most (but certainly not all) Memorial Day services are held at cemeteries. As its original name, Decoration Day, implies Memorial Day has roots in the communal act of decorating the graves of fallen soldiers. That practice arose in various communities around the country during and just after the American Civil War. All these years and too many wars later, the tradition continues.
In cemeteries across Oregon on Memorial Day weekend you will come upon more flags than you may have ever seen placed by volunteers all along tree-lined roads and on the graves of veterans and set against often breathtaking natural backdrops. For example, more than 140,000 flags adorn Willamette National cemetery in east Portland on Memorial Day!
There are services at each of Oregon’s four national military cemeteries (Willamette National in Portland, Ft. Stevens National in Warrenton, Roseburg National, and Eagle Point National). There are also services at city-managed public cemeteries (Ashland, Astoria, Coos Bay, Oregon City, Pendleton, Redmond), private cemeteries (Baker City, Bend, Coos Bay, Gresham, Hood River, Junction City, Medford, Salem), as well as non-profit cemeteries (Eugene, Tigard, Mt. Angel).
In other locales around Oregon, Memorial Day services take place at a veterans memorial site. Such memorials are often located within public parks.
Many Oregon cities (Beaverton, Columbia City, Gresham, Klamath Falls, Lake Oswego, North Plains, Scappoose, Warrenton) have their own veterans memorial sites for services. A few Oregon counties also have veterans memorials where there are services on Memorial Day (Benton County/Corvallis).
Finally, you can find a Memorial Day service at one of Oregon’s several beautiful state-themed war memorials. These are dedicated to all Oregonians who died in a particular war (Korean War/ Wilsonville, Vietnam War/Portland, World War II/Salem).
Why attending a Memorial Day commemoration matters
Your attendance at one of these formal observances each year matters for two reasons. First, Oregon history and American history matter. Part of our civic responsibility is understanding that history as it pertains to war and helping our children understand it. Attending a Memorial Day service is a powerful, hands-on way to gain some of that understanding.
Second, Memorial Day is completely unique as a holiday, or any day we have really, in its particular focus: to get us to reflect on the nature of major sacrifice. What can we learn from and feel about those who died in war for our country and local communities? What does it mean to sacrifice for something bigger than oneself?
So make it a point to go. Take a family member or friend with you. Look at the smiles and feel the good will and togetherness of the people around you at the ceremony. You’ll be glad you made the effort.
VENETA: Veneta City Park Ceremony — ** Event occurs Saturday, May 23rd **
Saturday, May 23, 2026
11:OOam to 12:30pm
Veneta City Park and Community Center
25192 E Broadway Ave.
Veneta OR, 97487
Program Details | Directions
EUGENE: Pioneer Cemetery Ceremony – May 25
11:00am to 12:15pm
Eugene Pioneer Cemetery
1001 E. 18th Avenue
Eugene OR, 97403
Program Details | Directions
SPRINGFIELD: Veterans Memorial Plaza Ceremony – May 25
9:00am to 12:00pm
Veterans Memorial Plaza – Willamalane Park
998 Mohawk Blvd.
Springfield OR, 97477
[The event starts at the Veterans Plaza across street from McKenzie Willamette Hospital at the corner of Mohawk Blvd & I St. Parking is at 1276 G St.]
Program Details | Directions
JUNCTION CITY: Rest Lawn Memorial Park Ceremony – May 25
10:00am to 12:00pm
Rest Lawn Memorial Park
94335 Territorial Hwy
Junction City, OR 97448
Boatnik in Grants Pass – May 22, 2025 – May 26, 2025
Boatnik is an annual festival held in Riverside Park in Grants Pass over Memorial Day Weekend for more than 60 years. There is no admission to attend Boatnik and there are many activities and shows for all ages. There are additional activities available for purchase including the Davis Shows Carnival, concert, and Boatnik Brewfest. The best part…ALL of the proceeds from the event are donated throughout the year to children and youth-based organizations in Josephine County!
The activities start Thursday evening with the Davis Shows Carnival featuring food, rides, games and family fun. The excitement continues Friday with the concert, a spectacular fireworks display on the river, midway vendors, and the carnival. Saturday morning features the well-known Boatnik parade that travels through downtown Grants Pass and ends at Riverside Park.
Throughout the weekend the festivities continue in the park where there are a whirlwind of activities that include: Sprint and Drag boat racing, carnival rides, arts and crafts, children’s activities, Bingo, food vendors, Monday Sundaes, the Boatnik Brewfest, the Chevy Drive It Home Golf Shoot Out and a second night of patriotic fireworks.
Monday is the highlight of Boatnik featuring the World Famous Tom Rice Memorial White Water Hydroplane Race, and the Memorial Day Service including a jet flyover. MORE INFO: https://www.boatnik.com
We Hope You Will Drive Safe and Have A Safe and Healthy Memorial Day Weekend!
We’ll be enjoying the long holiday weekend too and will be back in the office on Tuesday 5/26
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