Here’s How Memorial Day Will Be Observed at National and State Veterans Cemeteries

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Arlington National Cemetery 3d US Infantry Regiment
Soldiers from the 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) march off after supporting military funeral honors in Section 60, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, May 8, 2019. (U.S. Army photo by Elizabeth Fraser/Arlington National Cemetery)

This year, many national, state and local cemeteries will be conducting ceremonies to honor those who gave their lives in service to the nation.

The Department of Veteran Affairs will commemorate Memorial Day this year with wreath-laying ceremonies at national cemeteries, as well as virtual remembrance events. Several ceremonies will be live streamed and shared on the VA's National Cemetery Administration's Facebook and Twitter pages.

All VA national cemeteries will be open Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk for public visitation. Visitors are asked to adhere to health and safety guidelines and maintain physical distancing while visiting; they are being urged to consider visiting Friday, Saturday or Sunday to avoid possible crowds on Memorial Day itself. Families will still be allowed to place personal remembrances such as flowers and small American flags at their veteran's gravesite.

Most state veterans cemeteries have also announced plans for public remembrances and virtual ceremonies to remember their fallen this year.

Visit the website of your state Veterans Affairs Department for events particular to your location.

Many national veterans organizations, Scout troops and fraternal groups will also keep alive the traditional placement of flags on the graves of individual veterans in both private and public cemeteries in their localities.

These actions come as the nation is slowly returning to normal, and mandatory restrictions on public gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic are being lifted.

Arlington National Cemetery, which is managed by the Army, will be holding a wreath laying ceremony as well as services from numerous military and government organizations. All ceremonies and special events are free and open to the public.

These actions come as the nation is slowly returning to normal, and mandatory restrictions on public gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic are being lifted.

The VA also asks the public to leave a comment or tribute on the online Veterans Legacy Memorial project, which remembers all veterans who rest in a national cemetery.

More details about the Veterans Legacy Memorial.

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