The Department of Veterans Affairs recently revealed plans for more than 60 VA national cemeteries to host National Day of Service events Sept. 11. These events will commemorate the service and sacrifice of veterans, service members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders, according to an Aug. 31 news release.
“On 9/11, we encourage all Americans to join us at one of our national cemeteries to volunteer and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes,” Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matt Quinn said in the release. “By volunteering on this day of service, by cleaning a headstone and saying their names, we tell these heroes our nation has not forgotten all they sacrificed for us.”
Volunteers will engage in various activities, including the cleaning of headstones and other beautification efforts at VA national cemeteries, the release reported. This day of service, marked by cleaning headstones and respectfully remembering these heroes, is an opportunity to convey that the nation has not forgotten their significant sacrifices.
The VA's National Cemetery Administration partnered with Carry The Load to facilitate this National Day of Service. For those seeking additional information, a list of participating cemeteries and the start times can be found at NCA National Day of Service, according to the release. All necessary cleaning supplies and materials will be provided, and participation is free of charge.
Additionally, the National Cemetery Administration extends an invitation to family members, friends and loved ones to visit the Veterans Legacy Memorial, an online platform where they can post photographs and tributes on a dedicated page for veterans. This digital memorial pays homage to the 4.8 million veterans interred at VA national cemeteries or VA grant-funded state, territorial or Tribal veteran cemeteries, the release said.
Carry The Load is a nonprofit organization that started in 2011 by two U.S. Navy SEAL veterans to "restore the true meaning of Memorial Day," according to its website. It "provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices made daily by our military, veterans, first responders and their families."
