SAR Gen Lafayette Chapter Supports Local Memorial Day Events

May 22, 2026 – Memorial Day events will be conducted on Monday, March 25, 2026 at the Fayetteville National Cemetery and the Fort Smith National Cemetery. The SAR Gen Lafayette Chapter is proud to have members participate in and support both events. You are invited and encouraged to attend one of these events dedicated to honoring and mourning the military personnel who died while serving in the
United States Armed Forces.

Key dates and times are listed below. Please consider helping/attending the Fayetteville
National Cemetery or the Fort Smith National Cemetery events.

Fayetteville National Cemetery
1000 S Lt Col Leroy Pond Ave
Fayetteville, AR 72701

Special Performance
The Singing Men of Arkansas and the Ozark Highlander Pipers will be performing!
Key Contact: Ceremonial Participation Chairman Dick O’Connell at 479-521-3194 or
rj.oconnell@sbcglobal.net

Key Dates:
Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 9:00am – Flag Placement
Monday, May 25, 2026 at 10:00am – Memorial Day Ceremony
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 9:00am – Dignified Flag Removal

Fort Smith National Cemetery
522 Garland Avenue
Fort Smith, AR 72901

Community Participation: Hundreds of volunteers, including student groups and local
organizations like the Nurses Honor Guard of the River Valley, participate in the flag-placing and
wreath-laying traditions.

Inclement Weather: Services are generally held “rain or shine,” though flag collection may be
postponed if flags are wet to prevent damage during storage.

Key Contact: President Roger Rickard at 449-414-5390 or j.rickard@cox.net or Joe Collinson
at 479-420-3909 or zapper542000@yahoo.com

Key Dates:
Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 2:00pm – Memorial Day Service
Tuesday, May 26, 2026 at 10:00am – Flag Retrieval