Honoring the Courage of Heroes
We invite you to join us on Monday, May 30 as we honor the many thousands of men and women who have served and died for our freedoms. Our 152nd ceremony will be held in person again, after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Held on the sacred grounds of the Crown Hill National Cemetery, where every Crown Hill ceremony has been held since Memorial Day began in 1868, our ceremony will feature war veteran JOSH BLEILL, Corporal, USMC (Ret), as the keynote speaker. Corp. Bleill will share a patriotic message from his own experience of service, sacrifice, adversity and triumph.
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Prior to our ceremony, you are welcome to join us for one or more of our guided walking tours featuring military veterans, to watch Civil War Cannon and Gatling Gun firing demonstrations, and for a patriotic Band Concert performed by the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band. See our schedule of events below:
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Gatling Gun & Civil War Cannon Demonstrations
10 a.m. and throughout the day
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Beginning at 10 a.m., you can visit the 1st Wisconsin reenactors as they talk about and demonstrate their Gatling gun. They'll be located at Richard Gatling's memorial on the west side of the National Cemetery. Reenactors will also be firing a Civil War cannon nearby.
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Walking Tours
10 a.m., 11 a.m., and Noon
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45-minute guided walking tours of historic Crown Hill Cemetery will feature the graves of veterans and will be led by Crown Hill Tour Guides. Themes will vary. Tours will depart from the front of the Gothic Chapel. (Another tour will be available following the ceremony.)
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Band Concert by Indiana Army National Guard's 38th Infantry Division Band
1:30-2:00 p.m.
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A 30-minute patriotic band concert will be performed by the Indiana Army National Guard’s 38th Division Band and conducted by CW4 Patrick Palumbo.
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152nd Memorial Day Ceremony
2:00-3:00 p.m.
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Crown Hill presents the longest-running Memorial Day Ceremony in Indiana. It will be held at the Crown Hill National Cemetery, located behind the Gothic Chapel, in the same location where it has been held since its beginning in 1868. The 2022 Keynote speaker is Josh Bleill, Corporal, USMC (Ret).
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While serving in Iraq, Corp. Bleill was severely injured, resulting in the loss of both of his legs. After extensive rehab, Bleill returned to Indiana in August 2008, where he attacked his new life head-on. This new life included employment as the Indianapolis Colts Community Spokesperson. In 2017, Josh took a new step in his journey by starting his own speaking company, Josh Bleill LLC, to do public speaking independently. His powerful message of overcoming adversity and taking life one step at a time inspires audiences around the country. On Memorial Day, Bleill will share a patriotic message from his own experience of service, sacrifice, adversity and triumph.
Crown Hill is pleased to have the support of the men and women of the Indiana Army National Guard as they have for many years. In addition to providing patriotic music before and during the ceremony, they provide the Honor Guard, Chaplain and other staff members, as well as a Howitzer cannon 21-gun salute that will be conducted by their Military Dept. of Indiana Ceremonial Unit.
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Folding chairs will be available, or visitors may bring their own chair or blanket. Bottled water will also be available, as well as indoor restrooms. Visitors can arrive early or stay late to picnic. (The funeral home and cemetery office closes at 5 p.m., but the gates will remain open until 8 p.m.)
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Walking Tour
Following Ceremony
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A 45-minute guided walking tour of historic Crown Hill Cemetery will be conducted immediately following the ceremony featuring the graves of soldiers who lost their lives in battle and will be led by a Crown Hill Tour Guide. Tour will depart from behind the stage.
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Thanks to our corporate partners!
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