Memorial Day at the Museum
Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 25, 2026
Join the National Navy SEAL Museum for our annual Memorial Day Ceremony on Monday, May 25, at 9:00 AM. In observance of this sacred day, and with reverence for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, the Museum encourages everyone to attend this special ceremony. We gather each year to honor and remember our servicemen and women who have died in the line of duty so that their legacy may live on forever.
A Flag Retirement Ceremony will commence at 8:00 AM, preceding the official service, on the east side of the building near the picnic tables. The Memorial Day Ceremony will begin at 9:00 AM at our Memorial Wall. Guests are encouraged to arrive early to secure outdoor seating and participate in this solemn tribute. Attendees of all ages are welcome.
Our galleries will be open to visitors from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM with complimentary admission.
Official Program
8:00 AM
Flag Retirement Ceremony
Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Retired)
Navy SEAL Museum Executive Director
9:00 AM
Official Memorial Day Ceremony Begins
Presentation of Colors
U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps, American Veterans Division
National Anthem
Lieutenant Colonel Cynthia Watkins Pishdad, US Army (Retired)
Invocation
Chaplain Robert Bradshaw, CDR, USN (Retired)
Retirement of Colors
Welcome
Master Chief (SEAL) Rick Kaiser, USN (Retired)
Navy SEAL Museum Executive Director
Special Keynote Speaker
Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski, USN (Retired)
Commemoration of the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment “Night Stalkers” Memorial Walkway Bricks
Honoring the Fallen at the Living Beach
Addition of sand from around the globe where Frogmen have trained, fought, and died to the Living Beach.
Wreath Laying
Honoring the Fallen at the Memorial Wall
Unveiling of names on the Memorial Wall
Taps
Duke Scales
Benediction
Chaplain Michael Shockley, CDR, USN (Retired)
Service Conclusion
Rick Kaiser
With gratitude to our U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Corps, American Veterans Division, for their support of this service.
10:15 AM
The winning raffle ticket for the Wilson Combat Supergrade Pistol will be drawn immediately following the Memorial Day Service inside the Museum.
2026 Keynote Speaker
Vice Admiral Tim Szymanski, USN (Retired)
Tim has served in many Navy and Joint Special Operations assignments as a Navy Special Warfare Officer (SEAL) for over 36 years. He most recently served as the Deputy Commander for United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) after previously serving as the Commander of Naval Special Warfare (NSW). In both roles he oversaw the manning, equipping and training, and employment of NSW and joint special operations forces.
He has an extensive background in raising, equipping, and training Navy, allied and joint special operations forces and has served operationally in Iraq, Afghanistan, Haiti, and other places of crises. As Deputy Commander USSOCOM and as Commander NSW he spearheaded force design and development initiatives, led organizational culture reviews and implementation plans, and developed leaders throughout the force.
He led initiatives to improve human performance and protect brain health across special operations. He developed programs to enhance cognitive performance and established polices to monitor and protect brain health improving the welfare and operational readiness of all special operations forces and their families.