VIRGINIA (WRIC/WAVY) — Memorial Day is a day of remembering those who have died while serving in the U.S. military, but this year many ceremonies are turning virtual due to COVID-19.

Here are some ways you can commemorate the day from home.

2020 Commonwealth’s Memorial Day Ceremony

The annual Memorial Day ceremony at the Virginia War Memorial was livestreamed and started at 10 a.m. at the Shrine of Memory- 20th Century, Virginia War Memorial.

Gov. Ralph Northam provided pre-recorded remarks for the 64th annual ceremony.

“I want to remind people of what Memorial Day means, and that is that, many men and women who wore the cloth paid the ultimate sacrifice so that we can have the freedoms we enjoy every day,” he said.

Northam said people should still practice safe social distancing guidelines over the holiday. There are still some parts of Virginia, including Accomack in our region, that have not moved to phase 1 of reopening and remain under the stay-at-home orders.

Public ceremonies will not be held at state veterans cemeteries in Dublin, Amelia and Suffolk. Families who would like to place a wreath at the Virginia War Memorial can do so anytime after 11:30 a.m. on Memorial Day through Friday, May 29. Social distancing guidelines must be followed.

Memorial Day in Hampton Roads

Virginia Beach Mayor Bobby Dyer relayed a message to residents Monday morning urging the community to “remember all the brave men and women, of the armed services, who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.”

In York County, the Department of Fire and Life Safety held a flag-raising ceremony and was joined by members of Langley Air Force Base Engine #6 and York County Engine #2 at Fire Station #2/Tabb.

  • (Photo courtesy: York County Department of Fire and Life Safety)
  • (Photo courtesy: York County Department of Fire and Life Safety)

The Chesapeake Mayor’s Commission on Veterans’ Affairs held a virtual wreath-laying ceremony at 11 a.m. Monday.

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