Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony

This series has been suspended for 2020 due to COVID-19. For a complete listing of alerts, postponements and cancellations, visit our COVID-19 portal.

At 11 am on the first Monday of the month (unless otherwise noted) from April through October, the Town of Wake Forest joins with several local veterans' organizations to honor the sacrifices of deceased Wake Forest veterans and their families. These services are provided at no cost and provided solely to pay tribute to the service and memory of deceased Wake Forest veterans, while also acknowledging the sacrifices of their families.

Each ceremony features patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying and the ceremonial flag-raising by the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard. After raising the American flag, the WFFD Honor Guard raises the service flag representing the military branch in which the honoree served. Both flags fly in Centennial Plaza throughout the remainder of the month.

Photographs and other remembrances of each month's honoree are displayed in Centennial Plaza during the ceremony, then in the town hall lobby through the end of the month.

The public is invited to attend these services.

Wake Forest's first flag-raising ceremony occurred on Monday, Oct. 6., 2014, in tribute to Walter “Ervin” Cole, who served his nation in the U.S. Army in World War II. In later years - American Legion Post 187 was named in his honor.

Participating Organizations

Participating veterans' organizations include American Legion Post 187, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 187, American Legion Riders, VFW Post 8466, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, Marine Corps League Detachment 1257 and the Wake Forest High School Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps to host a Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony in town hall's Centennial Plaza.

2020 Flag-Raising Ceremonies Canceled

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Town of Wake Forest has made the difficult decision to cancel this year’s Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremonies.

The decision to suspend this summer staple was based on the unpredictability of the coronavirus, a desire to safeguard the health and safety of the community, and an expectation that residents will not be allowed to gather safely in large groups for the foreseeable future.

Our flag-raising ceremonies are expected to resume in 2021.

Honor a Deceased Wake Forest Veteran

A committee comprised of representatives from American Legion Post 187, VFW Post 8466, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, Marine Corps League 1257 and the Town of Wake Forest continually solicits the names of deceased Wake Forest veterans who may be honored during future flag-raising ceremonies. To be eligible for consideration, the deceased veteran must meet one of the following criteria:

joined active duty in Wake Forest;
died in Wake Forest; or
was a member of a Wake Forest veterans’ organization.

These services are provided at no cost and provided solely to pay tribute to the service and memory of deceased Wake Forest veterans, while also acknowledging the sacrifices of their families.

For more information, contact Pete Lambert at 919-529-3018.