WAKE FOREST, NC – The 67th Wake Forest Flag-Raising Ceremony takes place on Monday, May 4 at 11 a.m. in Centennial Plaza at Town Hall. This month’s ceremony honors Jim Vasilko, who served our nation in the US Marine Corps. Therefore, the Town of Wake Forest and local veterans organizations invite the public to attend this free event.
What to Expect at the Wake Forest Flag-Raising Ceremony
The Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard raises flags at a past ceremony. Photo courtesy of the Town of Wake Forest.
Friends and family of Jim Vasilko will attend this ceremony. The service will feature patriotic songs, special remarks, a memorial wreath laying, and the ceremonial flag-raising. Furthermore, it is a deeply personal tribute to a member of our community who gave his service to this nation.
During the service, the Wake Forest Fire Department Honor Guard will raise both the American flag and the US Marine Corps service flag. Consequently, these flags will fly in Centennial Plaza throughout May. At the following ceremony on June 1, the American flag will be presented to the Vasilko family.
In addition, photographs and other remembrances of Jim Vasilko will be on display in Centennial Plaza during the ceremony. After the event, the display will move to the Town Hall lobby through the end of the month.
About the Wake Forest Memorial Flag-Raising Ceremony
The Town of Wake Forest has presented the Wake Forest Flag-Raising Ceremony series since October 2014. Together with local veterans organizations, the Town honors deceased Wake Forest veterans and their families each month. As a result, these ceremonies take place in Centennial Plaza at 11 a.m. on the first Monday of the month, from April through October. All services are free and open to the public.
Additionally, several local veterans organizations participate in every ceremony. These include American Legion Post 187, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 187, American Legion Riders, VFW Post 8466, the Wake Forest Purple Heart Foundation, and Marine Corps League Detachment 1257. For more Wake Forest community announcements, visit Wake Forest Matters.
2026 Wake Forest Flag-Raising Ceremony Schedule
May 4 – Jim Vasilko, US Marine Corps
June 1 – Harry Lee Wilkerson, US Army
July 13 – Joseph Clapps, US Marine Corps
August 3 – Craig Skeffington, US Army
September 14 – Grady Macon, US Air Force
October 5 – Neil Michael Cronin, US Marine Corps
Nominate a Deceased Wake Forest Veteran
Moreover, the Wake Forest Flag-Raising Ceremony Committee actively seeks names of deceased Wake Forest veterans to honor at future ceremonies. To be eligible, the veteran must meet at least one of these criteria:
They joined active duty in Wake Forest.
They died in Wake Forest.
They were a member of a Wake Forest veterans organization.
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