Avenue of Flags at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery in Merced County, California

September 5, 2023 - WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs has announced more than 60 VA national cemeteries will host National Day of Service events Sept. 11. These events will honor the Veterans, service members, law enforcement personnel, firefighters, and other first responders who served and sacrificed for the nation Sept. 11, 2001, and in the 22 years since.

All are welcome to participate in these events, where volunteers will clean headstones and participate in other beautification activities at VA national cemeteries.

“On 9/11, we encourage all Americans to join us at one of our national cemeteries to volunteer and pay tribute to our nation’s heroes,” Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matt Quinn said. “By volunteering on this day of service, by cleaning a headstone and saying their names, we tell these heroes our nation has not forgotten all they sacrificed for us.” 

VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry The Load to put on this National Day of Service. To learn more and view a list of participating cemeteries and start times, visit NCA National Day of Service. Volunteers may register here. Cleaning supplies and other materials will be provided, and there is no cost to participate. NCA also invites family, friends, and loved ones to visit the Veterans Legacy Memorial to post photos and tributes on a Veteran’s page. This online memorial pays tribute to 4.8 million Veterans interred at VA national cemeteries or in VA grant-funded state, territorial, or Tribal Veteran cemeteries.
Source: VA