Remember & Honor: Memorial Day 2026
Patriotic centerpieces decorated the Foothills Higher Education Center, where the annual Burke County Memorial Day program was held on Monday, May 25.
AMOREM Volunteer Coordinator Ingrid Link introduces the program’s keynote speaker, Tad Elliott. Elliott is a Navy veteran and active volunteer, including for AMOREM. He is a regular columnist for The Paper.
Keynote speaker Tad Elliott reflects on those who lost their lives while serving in the U.S. armed forces and reminds the audience that we can honor their sacrifice by helping others.
Laura Meadows, 1st Junior Vice Commander at Disabled American Veterans 43, photographs (from left) James Gribble, DAV 43 Senior Vice Commander; Larry Britt, President, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1116; and Tom Johnson, Secretary, Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1116. Both DAV and VVA shared the table to promote their programs and services to the attendees of Monday’s Memorial Day program.
Sheriff Banks Hinceman speaks with those attending Monday’s Memorial Day program.
The names of all Burke County military personnel who died in service to this country were on display during the remembrance program.
Burke County Sheriff deputies (from left) Wayde Oberholzer and TJ Jones, Capt. Jeff Robinson, and deputy William Edmenson participate in the opening of Burke County’s Memorial Day program.
David Brown, American Legion Post 21 commander, places a wreath in honor of military members who died in service to this country.
Debbie Cramer, DAV Chapter 43 chaplain, stands with James Howell, who preceded her in that role.
Laurie Johnston, NC Room curator for Burke County Public Library, addresses a packed room present for the annual Memorial Day program.
Tamika Garrison speaks to those assembled for the program honoring members of the armed forces who died in service to this country.
Molly Eller, Burke County Veterans Service officer, addresses the crowd. She is a veteran of both the U.S. Navy and Army.
Patton High School senior Nancy McQuaid plays ‘Taps,’ a song that serves as a tribute to military service and sacrifice.
Burke County Government held its Memorial Day program Monday, May 25, at the Foothills Higher Education Center in Morganton. The 11 a.m. observance was organized to honor and remember the U.S. service members who died in service to the country.
Burke County residents, many of whom are veterans, spoke at the event. The keynote speaker was Tad Elliott, a U.S. Navy veteran, a volunteer for multiple local organizations, and a contributor to The Paper. Read his address on Page 10B.
— AKC
