Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park to commemorate Memorial Day throughout weekend

Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park press release

For the seventh year in a row, 7,300 flags will blanket the grounds of the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park throughout Memorial Day weekend to represent the average number of U.S. veterans who have lost their battle with PTSD per year, an average of 22 per day. From May 23-25, walk or drive by the Naval Park to see the installation, made possible by The Battle Within Foundation.

"It is our sincerest hope that this display of flags will in some small way help educate the public to this ongoing tragedy, provide a lifeline to the suffering, and honor our heroes for their service, regardless of where they died," said USMC Sgt. Jason Godios, The Battle Within Foundation president.

In addition to the flag installation on the grounds, the Buffalo Naval Park will host numerous ceremonies and programs to honor and remember those who fought for our freedom and made the ultimate sacrifice. These ceremonies are free and open to the public.

On Saturday, the U.S. Submarine Veterans Buffalo Base will hold a “Tolling the Boats” ceremony inside the Hangar Building at 2 p.m. to honor those who gave their lives while serving aboard U.S. Navy submarines.

The Naval Park will host a movie screening in the Hangar Building at 2 p.m. on Sunday, featuring the 1944 film, “The Fighting Sullivans,” based on the lives of the five Sullivans brothers. Doors open at 1:30 p.m., and the movie will begin immediately following a pre-film presentation. The event is free to attend, but a ticket is required as space is limited. Tickets are available at buffalonavalpark.org/event/the-fighting-sullivans-2026/.

Memorial Day ceremonies will kick off Monday with an outdoor musical performance by the Buffalo Brass Quintet at 9:30 a.m. near the Vietnam memorial. Immediately following the performance, at 10 a.m., the Buffalo Naval Park and The Battle Within Foundation will present a nondenominational memorial service with full military honors in remembrance of our fallen. This year’s invocation and benediction will be given by U.S. Naval Chaplain LTJG Kanjin Cederman, and Godios will serve as the keynote speaker.

George Miller will sing the national anthem, and Sea Scout Ship 537 will lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Military honors with a narrated 13-fold flag ceremony will be presented by the South Park High School JROTC SPARKS Battalion. The service will follow with a wreath laying at the various memorials throughout the Naval Park’s grounds.

The Knights of Columbus Maximilian Kolbe Assembly No. 1944 will present a ceremony and formation throughout the Naval Park grounds beginning at 11 a.m. Additional Memorial Day ceremonies will take place at noon near the Hispanic American Veterans Memorial, at 1 p.m. near the Vietnam Memorial, and at 2 p.m. near the African American veterans monument.

Buffalo Naval Park President and CEO Brian Luallen said, “Memorial Day weekend at the Buffalo Naval Park is a time for our community to come together in remembrance, reflection and gratitude. Across our ships, memorials and ceremonies, we honor those who gave their lives in service to our nation while recognizing the lasting impact of war on veterans, families and communities.”