Memorial Day is a day of remembrance to honor the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to their country. It is a time to reflect on the sacrifices of our fallen heroes and to pay tribute to their legacy of courage, dedication and selflessness.

That is why VA’s National Cemetery Administration is partnering with Carry The Load this year. Together, the goal is to honor and remember Veterans interred in VA National Cemeteries.

Carry The Load, an organization dedicated to remembering the fallen, will visit 34 VA National Cemeteries traveling 20,000 miles along five separate routes covering all continental 48 states in what is known as the National Relay for Memorial May 2024.

Along the five routes, many marchers will carry signs, banners and flags honoring a fallen service member, Veteran or first responder. 

Find out when & where the National Relay will be in a city near you as supporters and volunteers walk through 48 states & hundreds of communities to honor our nation’s heroes. The list of national cemeteries, along with the dates and times that they will be visited can be found below, or at Memorial May 2024 – National Cemetery Administration (va.gov). Those wishing to participate in a march are asked to register in advance. No donation is required to participate. 

West Coast Route

New England Route

Mountain Route

Midwest Route

East Coast Route

VA encourages all Americans to honor a fallen service member by leaving a tribute on the Veteran’s personal memorial page at VA’s Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM).

For more information please visit: Memorial May 2024 – National Cemetery Administration (va.gov).

Topics in this story

Memorial DayNational Cemetery Administration

Leave a comment

The comments section is for opinions and feedback on this particular article; this is not a customer support channel. If you are looking for assistance, please visit Ask VA or call 1-800-698-2411. Please, never put personally identifiable information (SSAN, address, phone number, etc.) or protected health information into the form — it will be deleted for your protection.

47 Comments

  1. linda May 18, 2024 at 14:59

    Its amusing how the new England route goes through Georgia. They must have to school there too.

  2. anibal sanz April 29, 2024 at 16:57

    HOW COME PUERTO RICO VETERANS BURIED IN CEMENTERIO NACIONAL OF BAYAMON AND OTHER LOCATION ARE NOT INCLUDED. EVEN THE NAME OF THE NATIONAL CEMENTERY OF BAYAMON AND OTHER NATIONAL CEMENTERY IN OTHER LOCATION OF PUERTO RICO ” CARRY THE LOAD ” THE DIRECTOR AND THOSE IN ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTION DIN’t EVEN NEW OF THIS EVENT WHICH START MAY 2 TO MAY 25. NOT ANY LOCAL AGENCY, GROUP OF VETERAN, THE OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR SAN JUAN VETERAN COMISSIONER, WAS NOTIFIED OF THIS EVENTTO TAKE PLACE IN THE STATES. PUERTO RICO NATIONAL CEMENTERY IS EVEN BIGGER THAT SOME OF THE CEMENTERY TO TAKE PART. IS A SHAME THAT PUERTO RICO IS NOT TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION FOR THIS EVENT.

  3. David Bassi April 27, 2024 at 10:41

    Somebody goofed on New England

  4. Edward Spalding April 26, 2024 at 20:49

    I didn’t see the Dallas cemetery listed

  5. Larry Weed April 26, 2024 at 11:30

    Prescott AZ for the Veterans Memorial March???? What happened to Tucson, Mesa, Phoenix area? Prescott where most enlisted veterans cant afford to live!

  6. DARYL HARDY April 26, 2024 at 10:46

    I AM VERY PROUD TO HAVE SERVED MY COUNTRY, MEMORIAL SHOULDNT BE FOR ONE DAY BUT FOR THE WHOLE MONTH OF MAY,AS A SERVICE CONNECTED VETERAN I BELIEVE THAT WHEN YOU HAVE SERVED YOUR COUNTRY HONORBLY YOU SHOULD GET FREE RENT FOR LIFE,MEDICAL,EDUCATION WITHOUT GOING THROUGH THE RED TAPE SYNDROM,A FREE HOUSE OR AN APARTMENT OF YOUR CHOICE, AND BE GIVEN A NEW VEHICLE OF YOUR CHOICE, ISNT THIS WHAT AMERICA WAS BUILT ON THIS IS THE AMERICA I FOUGHT FOR, I ALSO BELIEVE THAT ALL VETERANS SHOULD BE HONORED IN THEE MOST POSSIBLE WAY NESECSARY POSSIBLE,

    • David Spearel April 27, 2024 at 11:42

      I agree, but those lap dogs in Congress and the Senate who support the wealthiest and their tax breaks, wouldn’t stand for it. They continue to put the tax burden on the little guys struggling to make ends meet and take away what few deductions they have or raising the rate to high to qualify to use them.

  7. Annoymus April 26, 2024 at 10:08

    Great compliment to our fallen heroes; looking forward to being in attendance.

  8. Bob Lundgren April 26, 2024 at 10:01

    Is it possible to get involved if there is a Legion such as ours that would like to bring this to Minnesota. We have a Veterans on the Hill Event that is fairly well received.

    • David Spearel April 27, 2024 at 11:47

      I wish we could include James A Haley in Tampa.

  9. Jade Benay April 26, 2024 at 01:41

    Is this for Memorial May? Those who died while serving? Or Memorial Day for all that served?

    • Ismael Jimenez May 8, 2024 at 13:55

      Memorial Day is to honor the fallen heroes that gave their life for this country and everyone’s freedom. Veterans day is for ALL who have served this country (30 days min in service to be considered a Vet).

  10. Curtis Webb April 26, 2024 at 01:28

    Was looking for s stop in Oklahoma. 25th inf div RVN. 1970 – 1980.
    “Some Gave All”
    “ No Greater Love”

  11. Chelita Hobbs April 25, 2024 at 17:17

    I don’t see Dallas, Texas (National cemetery/Grand Prairie) listed. Is there another list including Dallas Forth Worth?

  12. Joan Camara April 25, 2024 at 16:45

    It’s a shame that South Carolina is not on the list. But it always seems to be the usual, on programs such as this one.

  13. Nancy Umbreit April 25, 2024 at 15:19

    I am grateful for all the volunteers and service personnel who will make this tremendous trek. I am in awe of all the places you will be going. Our veterans deserve to be not only recognized but better supported and lauded for their sacrifices. Memorial day is just one day-we should have a month that we cheer them on. thanks to all veterans from the bottom of my heart for your sacrifices and their families’ sacrifices.

  14. Eva woelk April 25, 2024 at 13:13

    Thank you. I am also a veteran 1965 to 1968. met my husband during my term. We have been married more than 50 years

  15. Gary Zercher April 25, 2024 at 11:46

    Why do the New England routes have stops in the south?

  16. Edward Streker April 25, 2024 at 11:37

    No where close to Rhode Island
    That’s to bad…
    As a Purple Heart recipient
    from Beirut Lebanon 1983
    We are the smallest state
    In USA and yet
    We lost the most Marines

  17. David Marc Carpenter April 25, 2024 at 09:52

    FT Sam Houston doesn’t get a visit?,,,tsk tsk tsk Military City (San Antonio, TX) should get added on after the Houston cemetery!

  18. Leonard W Hall April 25, 2024 at 09:32

    Tn, Ar, &Ga are about as far as you can get from New England……………………

  19. Rick Williams April 25, 2024 at 08:52

    “Carry the Load” TV ads in the Dallas area say this organization is returning the “true meaning of Memorial Day.” Carry the Load has a laudable purpose, but the true meaning of Memorial Day is to remember military men and women who lost their lives during service. Carry the Load includes first responders with the Memorial Day remembrance Thus, I do not support Carry the Load due to their misrepresentation of “Memorial Day.”

  20. Dave Rosenlund April 25, 2024 at 08:34

    Georgia, Tennessee and Arkansas are not in New England.

  21. Michael April 25, 2024 at 07:26

    With such a large USMC footprint in North Carolina I’d like to see us added to the route.

  22. Luisa Roman April 25, 2024 at 07:10

    Good morning, and ope that all is well, i dont see the carry the load in nyc

  23. Staff sgt Paul E Jeter April 25, 2024 at 07:00

    What about Salisbury nc va cemetery

  24. Austin T. Haught April 25, 2024 at 05:49

    Arkansas is not in New England.

  25. Kenneth Cartossa April 25, 2024 at 00:17

    I don’t understand how you can plan route’s that don’t seem to include West Point and Arlington National Cemetery. On top of that I live in south Florida. The nearest route is over 200 miles away. Couldn’t there have been a route planned that started in the Miami area?

  26. DOUGLAS VAN DYKE April 25, 2024 at 00:03

    What Happened to Andersonville, Ga. National Cemetery? I have 4 friends buried there. They have been interned there in the last 20 years. Plus let us not forget the Hundreds of Union Soldiers that died in that prisoner of war camp at Andersonville, Ga.

  27. Captain Dick April 24, 2024 at 23:34

    ?? GUAM ??

    Where is the Guam route!?!? There’s tons of Veterans here & Guam needs help, hope, & good people now more than ever. I’d be glad to help organize & execute if needed. Just a thought; thanks for all you do for Vets & our Nation ??

    Biba Guahan ?? Biba USA ??

  28. Robert Fellner April 24, 2024 at 23:13

    I see what is supposedly a New England Route but it is nowhere near New England. Is this a mistake or am I not seeing something?

    • Bill Maynard April 26, 2024 at 07:46

      Typical VA right?!?

  29. John Lawrence April 24, 2024 at 22:57

    Have you forgotten the veterans buried at Greenwood cemetery in Orlando, Florida?

  30. SALVATORE April 24, 2024 at 21:41

    WE ONLY GET ONE DAY BUT GAY PRIDE GETS 1 MONTH . WHAT A COUNTRY WE LIVE IN. WE ARE THE LAUGHING STOCK OF THE WORLD!!!

    • C & D House April 25, 2024 at 13:02

      Absolutely WRONG in so many ways that sexual preference demands more recognition than that of our HERO’S. Our Veterans, active and deceased deserve so much more than they get. Without them no one would have Freedom. I wish this tribute would last as long as it would take to visit all the cemeteries in each state. Closest one to us on this route is hundreds of miles away.

  31. Bruce Keating April 24, 2024 at 21:31

    I’m a 32 year AF Vet!

  32. Earl April 24, 2024 at 21:24

    Where is Michigan

  33. jj spiess April 24, 2024 at 20:11

    Why isn’t 33418 not taking part in this project ? I’m willing to give it shot.

  34. Victoria Dorney April 24, 2024 at 20:05

    Why is New York especially Long Island with Calverton National Cemetery not included

  35. Shirley Hinch April 24, 2024 at 19:26

    Aloha. Please include Ft Hood/Killeen Texas in “Carry the Load” next year as we have a very large veteran community in this area. Much appreciated.

  36. Lino Miani April 24, 2024 at 19:25

    The states listed for the “New England Route”, Tennessee, Georgia, and Arkansas, ARE NOT in New England. New England generally consists of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

  37. Edward Eugene Smith April 24, 2024 at 19:16

    This is wonderful. It’s too bad we need such a thing but I’m happy to see it. I salute all the Women and Men who have given their lives for FREEDOM and I also salute all those who have been wounded in defense of our FREEDOM. I pray I will see the day when we no longer need to have such an update to any memorial. There has been more than enough death and destruction in our world. God bless all those who have served.

  38. john j Ziegler April 24, 2024 at 18:55

    The New England route is TN,GA,Ak. What about New England NY,ct,,ma,

  39. max steele April 24, 2024 at 18:46

    why is nothing listed for True New England states? massachusetts, connecticut,rhode island , new hampshire, maine, vermont????!!

  40. Donald Carroll April 24, 2024 at 18:20

    I don’t see anything in Alabama

  41. David OReilly April 24, 2024 at 18:07

    Most of the New England Veterans cemetery’s have been left out . Massachusetts , New Hampshire , Maine , all with significant numbers of Veterans. Disappointing

  42. Arthur April 24, 2024 at 17:45

    It’s to bad the New England route doesn’t go to any part of New England

Comments are closed.

More Stories