Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries will host a day of service and remembrance to honor victims of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. Public Law 107–89 established Sept. 11 as Patriot Day, and the law encourages Americans to honor victims of the 9/11 attacks.
This year’s events take place on Saturday, Sept. 12 at 10:00 am (local time)at more than 140 VA and state veteran cemeteries and will include opportunities for community volunteers to clean headstones and participate in other cemetery beautification activities.
Forty-seven veterans and dependents who died because of the terrorist attacks on 9/11 are buried or memorialized in VA national cemeteries, mostly at the Calverton and Long Island National Cemeteries in New York. More than 16,000 Global War on Terror Veterans have been interred in VA national cemeteries nationwide.
VA’s National Cemetery Administration this year is collaborating with the nonprofit organization Carry The Load to host events across the nation that allow volunteers to observe Patriot Day.
“As our nation marks the 25th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks, VA national cemeteries offer a meaningful place to honor the courage and sacrifice of that day,” said VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Sam Brown. “I invite all Americans to join us at one of our participating cemeteries as we honor and preserve the legacies of the victims, first responders, service members, and families forever changed by the 9/11 attacks.”
“As we come together on the 25th anniversary of 9/11, Carry The Load’s National Day of Service and Remembrance gives Americans a meaningful way to honor the nearly 3,000 lives lost,” said Stephen Holley, president and co-founder of Carry The Load and a U.S. Navy SEAL Veteran. “Through service at national cemeteries across the country, we come together to honor the families, first responders, military members and communities forever changed by 9/11 and carry their stories and sacrifices forward.”
Those wishing to participate in VA cemeteries’ National Day of Service and Remembrance can register here. Cleaning supplies and other materials will be provided and there is no cost to participate. Click here to learn more about VA’s burial benefits and memorial services.
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