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Morris County’s annual Memorial Day Observance returns on Wednesday, May 20, 2026 at noon in Morristown. The ceremony will be held along Court Street between the historic Morris County Courthouse (Washington and Court Streets) and the Administration and Records Building at 10 Court Street, Morristown, NJ 07960.
This year’s observance carries added significance. Aligned with the approaching 250th anniversary of the United States, the program will incorporate a dedicated tribute to Continental Army soldiers who lost their lives at Jockey Hollow, one of the most historically significant Revolutionary War encampments in the country.
This year’s keynote address will be delivered by James Ferguson, a Vietnam veteran and Mountain Lakes resident. Ferguson served on active duty in the United States Navy from 1963 to 1966 and later volunteered for the Swift boat program in Vietnam, conducting patrols along coastal waters and inland waterways during a critical period of the war. He continued his service in the Naval Reserve, ultimately achieving the rank of lieutenant.
The ceremony will also launch the Afghanistan War Veterans Compendium, a project led by the Morris County Office of Planning & Preservation. As the 25th anniversary of the start of the War in Afghanistan approaches on October 7, 2026, the county is seeking submissions from veterans and their families to document the service of local individuals who participated in that conflict.
A central component of the program will be the presentation of Morris County Distinguished Military Service Medals, which feature the county seal on the front and an outline of the county alongside the American flag on the reverse. Since the program began in 1999, more than 10,000 individuals have been recognized.
The event will also be available via livestream on the county’s Facebook page for residents who cannot attend in person.
