Every year, many national, state and local cemeteries hold ceremonies to honor those who gave their lives in service to the nation.
The Department of Veteran Affairs commemorates Memorial Day with wreath-laying ceremonies at national cemeteries, as well as virtual remembrance events. Several ceremonies are livestreamed and shared on the VA's National Cemetery Administration's Facebook and Twitter accounts.
All VA national cemeteries are typically open on Memorial Day weekend from dawn to dusk for public visitation. Visitors are asked to consider visiting the Friday, Saturday or Sunday before Memorial Day to avoid crowds. Families will still be allowed to place personal remembrances such as flowers and small American flags at their veterans' gravesites.
Visit the website of your state Veterans Affairs Department for events particular to your location.
Many national veterans organizations, Scout troops and fraternal groups keep alive the traditional placement of flags on the graves of individual veterans in both private and public cemeteries in their localities.
Arlington National Cemetery, which is managed by the Army, holds 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.
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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