NATIONWIDE — Department of Veterans Affairs national cemeteries across the country will host a National Day of Service and Remembrance to honor the victims, first responders, and service members impacted by the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001. Public Law 107–89 established Sept. 11 as Patriot Day, encouraging Americans to honor those lost in the tragedy.
To mark the 25th anniversary of the attacks, community events are scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 12, at 10:00 a.m. local time across more than 140 VA and state Veterans cemeteries. Public volunteers will have the opportunity to participate in headstone cleaning and other cemetery beautification activities.
Forty-seven Veterans and dependents killed in the 9/11 attacks are buried or memorialized in VA national cemeteries, primarily at Calverton National Cemetery and Long Island National Cemetery in New York. Nationwide, more than 16,000 Global War on Terror Veterans are interred in VA national cemeteries.
This year, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration is collaborating with Carry The Load, a nonprofit organization dedicated to honoring fallen heroes, to give citizens a hands-on way 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.”
Stephen Holley, president and co-founder of Carry The Load and a former U.S. Navy SEAL, emphasized the lasting significance of the milestone anniversary.
“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,” Holley said. “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.”
Volunteers interested in joining the effort at a participating VA cemetery can register online in advance. Cleaning supplies and all necessary materials will be provided on-site at no cost to participants.
