From left to right: Col. Chesley Thigpen, Army Training Center deputy commanding officer, Staff Sgt. Jesus Tapia, Fort Jackson’s Drill Sergeant of the Year, and Command Sgt. Maj. William P. Clancy II, 193rd Infantry Brigade senior enlisted leader, lay a wreath at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery during a Memorial Day ceremony, May 25.

A member of the Fort Jackson firing party presents arms during the 2026 Memorial Day ceremony at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, May 25. Post leaders placed a wreath during the ceremony.

A trumpeter with the 282d Army Band plays Taps during the Memorial Day ceremony held May 25 at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

The Fort Jackson firing party fires a salute during the 2026 Memorial Day ceremony held at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, May 25, 2026.

Chaplain (Lt. Col.) Gregory Jackson, deputy garrison chaplain, watches the 2026 Memorial Day Ceremony at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery.

People of all ages gathered at the Fort Jackson National Cemetery, May 25, for a rain-soaked Memorial Day Ceremony. Fort Jackson leaders laid a wreath at the ceremony, while 282d Army Band provided music and a Fort Jackson firing party fired ceremonial volleys. As Fort Jackson trains the next generation of Soldiers, it will never forget it is the steward of a legacy fought for and earned by those who came before.