WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded over $2.1 million in grants to seven educational and research institutions as part of its ongoing efforts to honor Veterans interred in national cemeteries. The funding supports the Veterans Legacy Program (VLP), a national initiative aimed at preserving Veterans’ stories and promoting public engagement through education.
Announced Monday, the $2,195,992 in grants will fund the creation of documentaries, lesson plans, digital storytelling projects, oral histories, and other educational tools designed to commemorate the lives and service of U.S. Veterans. The program’s goal is to connect students, educators, and communities with the histories of those buried in VA cemeteries.
“We are grateful for our collaborations with schools and non-profit organizations across the country to help preserve Veterans’ legacies,” said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. “These grants will help ensure future generations continue to learn about the remarkable men and women interred in VA national cemeteries.”
This year’s grantees include:
- National History Day, Inc. ($361,721) – Will involve students in researching biographies of WWII U.S. Marines and delivering eulogies at their grave sites.
- Loyola Marymount University ($350,000) – Will produce digital media projects and curricula honoring local Veterans.
- Kennesaw State University Research and Service Foundation ($341,881) – Will document Vietnam-era Veterans who later joined the Civil Rights Movement, culminating in museum exhibits and community engagement events.
- U.S. Korea Global Strategy Foundation ($324,999) – Will develop educational modules focused on Korean War Veterans.
- Research Foundation of the City University of New York ($280,000) – Will support research and biographies tied to Cypress Hills National Cemetery.
- University of Central Florida ($274,439) – Will produce oral histories and educational materials in partnership with Florida-based Veterans organizations.
- West Virginia Humanities Council, Inc. ($262,952) – Will lead student-driven biography projects on West Virginia Veterans, including a digital exhibit highlighting WWII service members.
Launched in 2016, the VLP has funded dozens of similar initiatives and engaged more than 15,000 students nationwide. Content developed through these grants will be featured on the VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial, which currently commemorates over 10 million Veterans buried in U.S. and overseas cemeteries.
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