The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), in collaboration with the Office of Army Cemeteries, has made a significant addition to the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website.
This digital platform, dedicated to honouring Veterans interred in various military cemeteries, now includes 300,000 service members and Veterans from 27 Department of Defense-managed military cemeteries. Each of these individuals will have their own personalised page on the VLM website, where friends, family, and others can pay tribute, share photos, and provide information about their achievements and life stories.
This expansion brings the total number of memorialised Veterans on the VLM site to over 4.5 million. Notably, the inclusion of Veterans from renowned locations such as Arlington National Cemetery underscores the significance of this initiative.
Apart from its commemorative purpose, the VLM website serves as a valuable resource for individuals conducting family history research. With the addition of these war veterans, users searching for their ancestors’ military service and legacy can find relevant information, historical documents, and personal tributes. This feature adds another layer of usefulness to the VLM website, making it an essential tool for those seeking to explore and honour their family’s military heritage.
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Matt Quinn expressed the importance of the Veterans Legacy Memorial, highlighting how it provides an opportunity to remember and express gratitude for the service and contributions of Veterans, even when physical visits to gravesites may not be feasible. As Memorial Day approaches, VA encourages everyone to visit VA.gov/Remember, where they can participate in commemorating the brave heroes who served and sacrificed for the nation.
Karen Durham-Aguilera, Executive Director of the Office of Army Cemeteries and Army National Military Cemeteries, emphasised the significance of this partnership and the profound impact it has on honouring the nation’s heroes. She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the program, enabling more individuals to discover the extraordinary stories of service and sacrifice that shape the fabric of the country.
The 27 military cemeteries included in this expansion encompass various branches of the military. Among them are notable sites such as Arlington National Cemetery, the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, Naval Station Great Lakes Cemetery, U.S. Naval Academy Cemetery and Columbarium, Fort George Wright Cemetery, and U.S. Air Force Academy Cemetery, among others.
Since its launch in 2019, the Veterans Legacy Memorial has received over 55,000 submissions to Veterans’ profile pages. To maintain the integrity of the platform, all content submitted to the VLM website is carefully reviewed by National Cemetery Administration moderators to ensure compliance with the VLM User Policy.
In addition to these advancements, VA will be hosting Memorial Day ceremonies at more than 130 national cemeteries to honour those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation. Veterans, their families, caregivers, survivors, and members of the public are invited to attend these solemn wreath-laying ceremonies throughout the Memorial Day weekend. A comprehensive list of Memorial Day events can be found on the VA’s official website.
Image Source:
- Photo by Eric Ward: instant images
