SANTA FE – Due to safety concerns over the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, Memorial Day will be commemorated by the Department of Veterans Services (DVS) with limited observances at its Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire, the Fort Stanton State Veterans Cemetery, and the Gallup State Veterans Cemetery.

The Fort Stanton and Gallup State Veterans cemeteries have cancelled ceremonies but will be open for normal gravesite visitation during regular 8 a.m.-5 p.m. business hours. Cemetery staff will place miniature American flags at each gravesite on Friday, May 22. On May 25, full-size flags will be flown at half-staff throughout the day. The administrative offices will be closed.

Cemetery staff wearing personal protective equipment will implement COVID-19 safe practices. Staff will regulate traffic flow to one-way-in, one-way-out, and the cemeteries will be limited to 25-percent capacity at all times. Visitors will also be required to observe COVID-19 safe practices such as maintaining 6-foot social distancing, wearing of masks, and limiting group size to no more than five people.

The annual Memorial Day ceremony has also been cancelled at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Angel Fire. The Memorial Chapel will be open for visitation, but the gift shop and museum will remain closed. The Memorial will be limited to 25-percent capacity. Staff will also implement COVID-19 safe practices--requiring visitors to maintain 6-foot social distancing, wear masks, and limit group size to no more than five people. A morning bugle performance of Taps will be rendered in the outdoor amphitheater, to be followed by ten minutes of silence by Memorial staff. The American flag will fly at half-staff throughout the day, and flags will be placed along the entrance road.

Communities and veterans' service organizations throughout New Mexico are also commemorating Memorial Day with similar limited observances. Please contact those city or organization representatives for details.