WASHINGTON, D.C. — Throughout May, the Department of Veterans Affairs‘ (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) is spearheading nationwide efforts to honor the sacrifices of Veterans buried in VA national cemeteries. Partnering with non-profit organizations including Carry The Load, the Travis Manion Foundation, and Victory for Veterans, the NCA will host numerous events and foster opportunities for tens of thousands of volunteers to pay homage to fallen service members.
“These collaborations allow us to express our collective appreciation for Veterans’ service and sacrifice,” said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. “Through shared efforts, we honor their legacy and ensure their stories are never forgotten.”
Partnerships Driving Collaboration
The partnership with Carry The Load, now in its eighth year, will see volunteers visit 17 VA national cemeteries as part of Memorial May activities. The organization’s efforts culminate in the influential Dallas Memorial March on May 25-26, where participants carry banners, signs, and American flags to honor their loved ones. This signature event takes place on the historic Katy Trail and is expected to attract participants from across the country.
The Travis Manion Foundation’s Honor Project continues its impactful work, celebrating its most extensive reach yet. Over 2,500 volunteers will visit more than 50 cemeteries across 25 states during Memorial Day weekend. Friends and families of the fallen can submit requests for volunteers to visit specific graves, where a hand-crafted commemorative token will be placed to honor the memory of their loved one.
Victory for Veterans, in its second year collaborating with NCA, will carry out a profound tribute by placing flowers at every Veteran’s grave in select VA national cemeteries. This year’s efforts are anticipated to involve over 390 volunteers, resulting in more than 27,000 flowers being placed. Since 2021, their initiative has steadily expanded, reflecting the growing commitment to honoring fallen service members.
Memorial May’s Nationwide Impact
With 5.4 million individuals, including 4.1 million Veterans from all eras of service, buried in VA national cemeteries, Memorial May serves as a critical time to unite communities in remembering their sacrifices. These events aim to deepen public appreciation for the military personnel who have served the nation, ensuring that their legacy endures for generations.
Additionally, the VA invites the public to engage with the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM), the nation’s largest interactive online platform dedicated to preserving the memories of Veterans. The VLM includes over 10 million pages for families and friends to contribute tributes, biographies, photos, and other content that encapsulates the life stories of Veterans.
A Unifying Month of Reflection
Memorial May transcends a single day, offering opportunities for Americans to connect with their shared history of service and sacrifice. By fostering partnerships and welcoming volunteers, the NCA and its non-profit collaborators reaffirm the sacred responsibility to honor and preserve the legacy of the nation’s Veterans.
For information on VA burial benefits, visit any of VA’s 156 national cemeteries, go to VA burial benefits, or call 800-827-1000. To pre-plan a burial for your family, visit NCA’s pre-need eligibility page.
Looking ahead, initiatives like these not only highlight the importance of service and remembrance but demonstrate the collective power of communities to ensure no Veteran’s story is forgotten. Through events, online platforms like the Veterans Legacy Memorial, and volunteer efforts, the nation pays its respects while forging new pathways to keep history alive.
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