Milton residents are invited to honor fallen military heroes who served and sacrificed for their fellow countrymen at the City’s Memorial Day Ceremony, which this year will be on May 26.

This event is set to start at 10 a.m. that Monday on the Green at Crabapple Market in downtown Milton. If there’s inclement weather – as was the case last year – it would move across Heritage Walk to inside City Hall’s Council Chambers.

While as many people as possible are encouraged to attend, for planning purposes the City asks those expecting to come email rsvp@miltonga.gov (before May 19) with the number and names of the people in their party. 

Once again, Milton’s 2025 Memorial Day festivities will feature live musical patriotic performances, complimentary pastries and beverages, moments of solemnity and reflection, as well as poignant moments and remarks.

The featured speaker is Colonel James A. Fulks, USMC (Retired), who served for 27 years all around the country and world before his 1994 retirement. His impressive tenure was bookended by conflicts in Vietnam and the Middle East, the latter during the Persian Gulf War as the Commanding Officer for the 4^th Marine Regiment. He also spent significant time in Okinawa, Japan, and Bermuda, as well as stateside at Camp Pendleton in California and Marine Corps Base Quantico in Virginia. 

Fulks has a long, accomplished track record as a commander and training officer. The now former Marine also has a fervent passion for learning having attended Utah State University, Officer Candidate School, Naval Command and Staff College, Air War College, and Syracuse University. After leaving the U.S. military, Fulks headed up corporate human resources for a small San Diego-based hotel chain and then worked in a similar capacity at Under Armour. 

Other scheduled speakers at the May 26 event include Mayor Peyton Jamison and distinguished members of Milton’s veterans community. All will reflect on the intent of Memorial Day – to reflect and honor the valiant men and women who died after serving selflessly in the U.S. military, from the days of the American Revolution to more recent conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. 

In addition to speeches, the National Anthem will be sung by members of Milton High School’s chorus, two Milton High trumpeters will perform a stirring rendition of Taps, Tom Crawford will play bagpipes, and there will be a ceremonial release of doves. New this year, a U.S. Army UH1-H “Huey” helicopter will be on display on a nearby gravel lot thanks to the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association. Coincidentally, Fulks began his military career as a helicopter crew member in the late 1960s.

If you’d like to learn more or have questions about this event, contact the City Community Outreach Manager Emily Salerno at Emily.Salerno@miltonga.gov.