INDIANAPOLIS (May 15, 2025) – The 500 Festival announces Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer as the keynote speaker for the American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service. The Memorial Service will be held Friday, May 23, at 12:00 p.m. at the Indiana War Memorial in downtown Indianapolis. The event is free and open to the public.   

Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer assumed duties as the 17th sergeant major of the Army on August 4, 2023. He most recently served as the command sergeant major for U.S. Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. 

Weimer enlisted in the Army in 1993 and has served in a variety of leadership positions throughout his career, including team member, command sergeant major of Special Operations Joint Task Force–Afghanistan, and command senior enlisted leader for U.S. Special Operations Command Central. 

As sergeant major of the Army, Weimer serves as the personal adviser to the Army chief of staff on matters affecting the enlisted force. He spends the majority of his time visiting units across the Army, observing training, and engaging with soldiers and their families. He also serves on various councils and boards that impact enlisted personnel and regularly testifies before Congress. In this role, Weimer is the public face of the Army’s noncommissioned officer corps, representing the NCO community in media appearances and through engagements with business and community leaders. 

A military child who grew up in multiple locations, Weimer completed the Special Forces Assessment and Selection in 1994. He graduated from the Special Forces Weapons Sergeant Course and earned his Green Beret in 1996. His previous assignments include tours with the 7th Special Forces Group and nearly 20 years in Special Mission Units. 

Weimer is married and has two children.      

Joining Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer at the American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service is Chair of the 500 Festival Board of Directors Dr. Jim Callaghan, an American Legion representative, Mayor of Indianapolis Joe Hogsett, and Mike Braun, Governor of Indiana. 

The Memorial Service will include the joint service color guard presentation of colors and performances by the Capital City Chorus and the Indiana National Guard’s 38th Infantry Division Band. A wreath-laying ceremony and a horse-drawn caisson will be presented by the Indiana National Guard Headquarters Ceremonial Unit. Fallen servicemen and women will also be honored with the playing of the “Taps”, a rifle salute, and a flyover.  

“We are honored to welcome Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer as our keynote speaker for this year’s Memorial Service,” said Bob Bryant, president and CEO of the 500 Festival. “His leadership and dedication to our nation’s Soldiers and their families embody the spirit of service and sacrifice we pause to honor this weekend.” 

“This Memorial Day, we gather to honor the Gold Star families and pause to honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our nation,” said Sergeant Major of the Army Michael R. Weimer. 

“Memorial Day is the time the nation pauses to remember our fallen heroes and to honor their families who endure without their loved ones.”  Indiana National Guard, State Command Sergeant Major, Joshua A. Brown 

To learn more about the American Legion 500 Festival Memorial Service please visit 500Festival/memorial.  

The 500 Festival Memorial Service is sponsored by: American Legion, dormakaba, Lucas Oil, Rolls-Royce, Nameless Catering, exclusive radio partner 95.5 WFMS (Cumulus Media), and WISH-TV, the exclusive statewide broadcast partner.  

WISH-TV will live stream the service on WISHTV.COM with a commercial-free hour on Monday, May 26th at 10 am. The entire telecast will also be posted on WISHTV.com after the show. 

The Indiana War Memorial and Museum will be open on Memorial Day, Monday, May 26, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.