DC | Service and Sacrifice: Memorial Day 2026

On Memorial Day, honor Indigenous service members who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the United States Armed Forces. This year, we honor the legacies of Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell (Northern Cheyenne, 1933-2025) and Harvey Phillip Pratt (Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribes of Oklahoma, 1941-2025) and their invaluable contributions to the museum. Hear from Native veterans, make prayer ties to remember loved ones, and pay your respects during a wreath-laying ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial.

SCHEDULE

Level 1, Potomac Atrium

• 10:30 AM | Opening Prayer, National Anthem, Posting of the Colors, Welcome Remarks
• • Join us for an honor song and prayer to remember fallen Native service members, followed by a performance of the Star-Spangled Banner, and the posting of the colors. 
• 10:30 AM-5:30 PM | Hands On: Prayer Ties
• • Learn about the importance and tradition of making prayer ties with museum staff. Then, make your own to remember and honor loved ones who made the ultimate sacrifice while serving in the military. Materials will be provided. Completed prayer ties will be tied to the four lances that flank the National Native American Veterans Memorial outside on the museum’s grounds.
• 10:30 AM-5:30 PM | Information Tables
• • National Native American Veterans Memorial
  • • See a small-scale model of the memorial design, learn about its development and construction, and pick up bookmarks featuring the stories of Indigenous service members across military branches.

Level 4, Patrons Lounge

• 10:30 AM–5 PM | Veterans Hospitality Suite
• • Veterans are invited to gather in this space for conversation or take a break from the day's events; seating and light refreshments provided.

Level 1, Rasmuson Theater, americanindian.si.edu…

• 11:30 AM | Veterans Remembered: Family Tributes
• 12 PM | Remembering Senator Ben Nighthorse Campbell and Harvey Phillip Pratt (Panel Conversation)

Outdoors, Welcome Plaza

• 3 PM | Wreath Laying Ceremony at the National Native American Veterans Memorial
• • Join museum leadership and staff on the Welcome Plaza as a memorial wreath is laid at the base of the National Native American Veterans Memorial. The memorial flame will remain lit until 5 PM for visitors to pay their respects.

Level 1, Potomac Atrium

• 4:30 PM | Retiring of the Colors

*Programs and schedule subject to change, additional details to be announced. 

Image: Photo by Norwood Photography for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian

Major funding provided by The Boeing Company.