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A member of the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment places flags at the headstones of military personnel buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Key takeaways
- Every VA national cemetery and soldiers’ lot be open for Memorial Day activities in 2026.
- The Arlington National Cemetery observance on May 25 will be broadcast online for remote viewers.
- Public participation options include cemetery volunteering and posting remembrances on the Veterans Legacy Memorial.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is hosting Memorial Day ceremonies at more than 120 VA national cemeteries to honor those who gave their lives for the nation.
All 157 VA National Cemeteries and 35 soldiers’ lots will be open to the public throughout Memorial Day weekend, from May 22 through May 26. The events are expected to draw about 100,000 attendees nationwide and will include wreath-laying ceremonies, commemorative speeches, the playing of Taps and other tributes honoring fallen veterans.
“This Memorial Day weekend, we invite Americans to join us at a VA national cemetery to honor those who died in defense of our nation,” said VA under secretary for memorial affairs Sam Brown in statement. “Together, we will ensure the legacies of these brave heroes live on for generations.”
At the national level, the VA highlights several coordinated remembrance events, including the National Memorial Day Observance at Arlington National Cemetery on May 25, which is open to the public and livestreamed. Nationwide initiatives such as Travis Manion Foundation’s Honor Project, Wear Blue: Run to Remember, and Team Red, White & Blue’s Memorial Minutes are bringing volunteers and participants together at dozens of cemeteries and in communities across the country throughout Memorial Day weekend and the surrounding days.
For a comprehensive list of official VA National Cemetery Memorial Day events and visiting hours, refer to the VA's Memorial Day 2026 page. The VA notes that events continue to be updated through May 22 and encourages attendees to verify details with host locations as schedules may change.
VA Burial Benefits
Almost all veterans who received an honorable discharge are eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits, even if they did not serve in combat. Although federal burial grounds are long established, many veterans and military families are unaware of the broad eligibility and benefits available to them. Click here to learn more.
Additionally, those interested in volunteering can explore opportunities at VA national cemeteries through the NCA webpage.
Additions to the Veterans Legacy Memorial
Those unable to attend events in person may still honor fallen service members by leaving tributes on the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website, which includes over 10 million pages of information about veterans buried in national, state, territorial and tribal VA cemeteries.
The VLM provides a platform for family and friends to share lasting memories of a veteran by uploading written tributes, photos, biographies, documents and other personal information. Additionally, living veterans approved for pre-need burial in a VA National Cemetery can share their own stories on VLM through the “Your Life, Your Story” feature.
There are 157 national cemeteries and 35 soldiers’ lots and monument sites across 42 states and Puerto Rico. The VA’s Veterans Cemetery Grant Program also funds 124 additional state, territorial and tribal cemeteries.
The key takeaways were created with the assistance of generative AI. An AARP editor reviewed and refined the content for accuracy and clarity.
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