The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has expanded its Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website to include 210,000 additional pages dedicated to American veterans interred overseas. This expansion is part of a collaboration with the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC), bringing the total number of VLM pages to over 10 million.
VLM serves as the largest online memorial space in the nation for veterans and service members buried in various cemeteries, including those managed by VA, the Department of Defense, and other entities. The platform allows family and friends to share memories by uploading tributes, photos, biographies, documents, and more. It also features "Your Life, Your Story," enabling living veterans approved for pre-need burial in a VA National Cemetery to tell their own stories.
Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters emphasized the importance of preserving legacies: “The brave Americans resting in American Battle Monuments Commission cemeteries and whose names are inscribed on ABMC memorials around the world sacrificed their lives to liberate allied countries and to protect our nation’s interests.” He added that it is an honor to preserve these legacies.
ABMC Acting Secretary Robert Dalessandro expressed pride in this partnership: “We are proud to be a part of this partnership, which adds new resources to honor our nation's veterans from all wars and brings their stories to those who aren’t able to visit our ABMC sites overseas.”
ABMC's history dates back to 1934 when President Franklin Roosevelt transferred management of eight permanent military cemeteries in Europe from the War Department. Currently, ABMC oversees 26 American cemeteries abroad and cares for gravesites from World War I, World War II, and other conflicts.
Since its launch in 2019, nearly 200,000 submissions have been made on VLM profiles. Content submitted undergoes review by NCA moderators before posting according to VLM User Policy standards.
For more information about VA burial benefits or planning assistance, individuals can visit one of VA's National Cemetery locations or contact them through provided channels.
