The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced it will host over 60 National Day of Service and Remembrance events on September 11 at VA national cemeteries across 34 states and Puerto Rico. These events are open to the public and aim to honor veterans, service members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders who served on September 11, 2001, and in the years since.

For the sixth consecutive year, VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry the Load and AmeriCorps to organize these volunteer service events. Volunteers will clean headstones and engage in other beautification activities at VA national cemeteries.

“We encourage everyone to join us at one of this year’s September 11 National Day of Service events to honor the nation’s heroes who served and sacrificed 23 years ago,” said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters. “Our acts of volunteer service at cemeteries across the country tell these heroes that we have not forgotten their bravery and all they sacrificed for the country.”

This year's event will also include Erie Cemetery in Erie, Pennsylvania, honoring more than 7,000 veterans interred there. This effort is part of NCA’s Restoration Initiative for Veteran gravesites in historical private cemeteries.

To learn more and view event details for participating cemeteries, visit NCA National Day of Service. Individuals and groups can register to participate at Carry The Load National Day of Service. Cleaning supplies and other materials will be provided at no cost. VA also invites family, friends, and loved ones to post photos and tributes on a Veteran’s page on the Veterans Legacy Memorial website.