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National Cemetery Administration

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Carry The Load participants honor and remember Veterans during Memorial May while walking in front of columbariums at Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington.

Memorial May 2024


Join a Carry The Load relay to honor Veterans at national cemeteries across the country during the month of May.


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Small American flags placed in the ground in front of headstones on Memorial Day at Jacksonville National Cemetery in Florida.

Memorial Day 2024


The VA is proud to host Memorial Day ceremonies at more than 130 of our national cemeteries during Memorial Day weekend. Find locations, ceremony dates and start times for a cemetery near you.


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Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) mobilizes volunteers across the country to pay respect to fallen heroes on and around Memorial Day and place hand-crafted commemorative tokens on headstones, and pausing for a moment of reflection.

The Honor Project


Volunteer with the Travis Manion Foundation (TMF) to honor Veterans at Memorial Day events across the country on May 18, 25, 26, and 27, 2024 at participating cemeteries.


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Banner image: Welcome to the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). Find Your Veteran.

Veterans Legacy Memorial


VLM provides memorial profile pages dedicated entirely to the memory of nearly 10 million Veterans. Find and visit your Veteran virtually to add images, tributes and more.


About VLM »

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Memorial May 2024 Memorial Day Ceremonies The Honor Project Veterans Legacy Memorial
 

Memorial Day History

“That Nation which respects and honors its dead, shall ever be respected and honored itself.”
– Brevet Lieut.-Col. Edmund B. Whitman, 1868
Decoration Day postcard. (NCA History Collection)
Decoration Day postcard. (NCA History Collection)

Memorial Day, a federal holiday held the last Monday in May, is the nation's foremost annual day to mourn and honor its deceased service men and women.

Originally called Decoration Day, it was formalized by a "Memorial Day Order" issued by Grand Army of the Republic Commander-in-Chief John A. Logan in 1868.

Medal of Honor History

President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill creating 200 medals of honor in late 1861. From this came the Medal of Honor; today the highest commendation for military service. The eligibility criteria, medal design, and recognition on a recipients' grave marker have all evolved since the Civil War.

390 Medal of Honor recipients are interred in VA national cemeteries.

Left: Army Medal of Honor, early design. Center: Headstone with recognition for a Medal of Honor recipient. Right: Navy Medal of Honor; early design.Left: Army Medal of Honor, early design.
Center: Headstone with recognition for a Medal of Honor recipient.
Right: Navy Medal of Honor; early design.

NCA Resources Guide

Looking for a cemetery?
Trying to locate a grave?
Questions about burial benefits?
What happens during a committal service?

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VLM Featured Veteran
Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun
U.S. Army, Captain
Medal of Honor Recipient
Photo for Featured Veteran from the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM): Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun, U.S. Army, Captain, Medal of Honor Recipient.
Memorial Page »
Resources
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National Cemetery Administration
Attn: General Inquiries
810 Vermont Avenue
Washington, DC 20420

MyVA411 main information line:
800-698-2411