Special Events and Commemorations

American flags are placed every Memorial Day by local students at the foot of every grave in the Antietam National Cemetery.

NPS

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a time to remember and honor those who lost their lives while serving in the US military. Each May, many NPS national cemeteries commemorate Memorial Day through ceremonies, speakers, and music. Volunteers and staff place American flags on marked graves to recognize the individuals who are buried there.

Visit the park websites or on social media for event details, volunteering opportunities, and general visiting information.

• Andersonville National Cemetery, Georgia

• Andrew Johnson National Cemetery,Tennessee

• Antietam National Cemetery, Maryland

• Battleground National Cemetery, Washington, D.C.

• Chalmette National Cemetery, Louisiana

• Custer National Cemetery at Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana

• Fort Donelson National Cemetery,Tennessee

• Fredericksburg National Cemetery, Virginia

• Gettysburg National Cemetery, Pennsylvania

• Shiloh National Cemetery, Tennessee

• Stones River National Cemetery, Tennessee

• Poplar Grove National Cemetery, Virginia

• Vicksburg National Cemetery, Mississippi

• Yorktown National Cemetery, Virginia

Memorial Day around the NPS

Places of Remembrance

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Veterans Day

Each November, events and ceremonies are held in NPS national cemeteries to honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who served in the American military. This legacy of service is continued today by the veterans who are employees and volunteers who care for national cemetery landscapes.

Visit each location's website for news on upcoming events.

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Wreaths Across America

Each December, volunteers and organizations lay wreaths on the headstones of military service members at locations across the country and abroad. The event is coordinated by Wreaths Across America, a non-profit organization started in 2007 with the mission to "Remember, Honor, and Teach."

Several NPS national cemeteries participate in the annual event, inviting volunteers and attendees to honor military veterans by placing wreaths. Visit each location's website for news on upcoming events.

Wreaths accentuate the circular pattern of headstones in section five of Poplar Grove National Cemetery, December 2023.

NPS / Pat Schmidt