Arlington National Cemetery (Photo: Petty Officer 2nd Class Patrick Kelley)
The VA has expanded its Veterans Legacy Memorial project just in time for Veterans Day, adding approximately five million more Veterans and nearly doubling the number of individuals honored with online memorial pages.
This project allows people to access information about Veterans who served in the U.S. Military, dating back to the Revolutionary War, even if they cannot physically visit their final resting places. In addition to these five million new Veterans, the VA continues to work on including the 26 American military cemeteries overseas managed by the American Battle Monuments Commission.
The project, originally launched in 2019, began as a website providing basic details on 3.7 million Veterans buried in the VA’s 155 national cemeteries. Over time, it expanded to include VA-supported state, tribal, and territorial Veterans cemeteries, as well as National Park Service cemeteries. Earlier this year, the VA added Veterans at 27 cemeteries managed by the Air Force, Navy, and Army, including Arlington National Cemetery.
The most recent expansion includes Veterans buried in private cemeteries. This was made possible by collecting information on Veterans buried at these sites who received a headstone, marker, or medallion from the National Cemetery Administration since 1996. By including a broader range of cemeteries across the country, this means that roughly one-quarter of all U.S. Veterans throughout history are now listed in this online database, a substantial increase from the initial number of individuals from VA cemeteries and government sites.
Family members and friends can visit these online memorial pages to access basic military service records, locations of final resting places, and more. They can also contribute photographs, awards and other historic documents to celebrate the Veterans’ lives and service. As of now, more than 72,000 tributes have been posted on these pages by family members, friends, colleagues, and historians.
The Veterans Legacy Memorial project serves as a meaningful way to preserve the legacies of Veterans, connecting family members, friends, and the general public with the stories and contributions of those who served in the U.S. military. The project not only pays tribute to these Veterans but also provides a way to treasure their memories and ensure they are never forgotten.
Author: Rikki Almanza
Rikki is a Web Content Coordinator for the American Legion, Department of California. With a deep-rooted connection to the military, a spouse who is a Navy veteran, a father who served in the Air Force for 25 years, and a grandfather who proudly served, Rikki is committed to using her skills and knowledge to provide valuable assistance and resources to servicemembers and veterans.
