A retired Navy captain with almost a quarter-century of active and reserve service is scheduled to be the keynote speaker at Lycoming County’s annual Memorial Day service and ceremonies at Veterans Memorial Park in Williamsport.

Matthew B. Aaron, whose leadership and technician experience spans military, corporate and nonprofit sectors, will deliver an address at 11 a.m. Saturday honoring the men and women of the armed forces who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their nation.

Aaron’s bio indicated he concluded his Navy career as Commanding Officer of the Reserve unit supporting the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Executive Office for Tactical Aircraft, where he successfully led a major unit merger, doubling its size and tripling mission responsibilities while delivering significant cost savings.

Previously, as Executive Officer of the Navy Reserve unit supporting the Joint Strike Fighter (F-35) Program Office, he played a vital role in supporting the largest acquisition program in Department of Defense history.

Aaron’s military background includes roles as project officer, test manager, and systems engineer at the National Reconnaissance Office, where he led integration and testing efforts for a groundbreaking spacecraft system.

His aviation career features over 1,300 flight hours in 27 aircraft types, nearly 100 hours of combat flight time during Operation Desert Storm, and more than 200 carrier arrested landings. He has earned multiple commendations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and two Strike/Flight Air Medals. His initial fleet assignment was with the Warhorses of Attack Squadron FIFTY-FIVE (VA-55).

Currently, he serves as president and CEO of Special Olympics Pennsylvania, guiding a statewide nonprofit that offers year-round sports training and competition for over 15,000 individuals with intellectual disabilities. His leadership fosters a vibrant network of volunteers and coaches dedicated to empowering athletes. Prior to this, he held key roles at Special Olympics’ global headquarters and worked as a management consultant at Booz Allen Hamilton.

Aaron holds an MBA from Yale School of Management, a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School, and a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the United States Naval Academy. He is also a graduate of the US Naval Test Pilot School. Beyond his professional pursuits, he contributes to his community through board service with Catholic Social Services in Philadelphia and has held leadership roles with the Alzheimer’s Association and Our Daily Bread.

He lives in Collegeville with his wife, Kathleen, and their three children, Sophie, Brad and Paul.

The event is co-sponsored by the Lycoming County Veterans Memorial Park Commission and the Lycoming County Veterans Council, Inc.

The park, 3401 W. Fourth St., contains monuments to all wars past and present.

The ceremony typically includes plenty of patriotic moments, including singing and delivery of the National Anthem, presentation of the Colors, the laying of wreaths on each of the monuments dedicated to the various conflicts and wars involving the nation, numbers of American casualties cited and the Korean War Veterans performing a rifle salute and retiring of the Colors.