Top 11 photos on @DeptVetAffairs Instagram in 2016

Telling Veterans stories is often more than writing them – sometimes one picture conveys just as much.

We share photos of what’s happening not only around VA, but at Veteran events across the country on VA’s Instagram and Flickr social media channels. These photos come to us from medical centers, VA national cemeteries and from the memorials and monuments where we as a nation remember and honor our Veterans.

Here are the posts from the @deptvetaffairs Instagram channel you liked the most in 2016.

11.

Veterans and Staff at Marion, Illinois, VA Medical Center chose this pair as the winning costume. Wishing all Veterans and VA Staff a Happy and Safe Halloween!

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Oct 31, 2016 at 1:12pm PDT

10.

Veterans and supporters gather at the #nationalwwiimemorial this morning to honor those who served. #VeteransDay2016 #HonoringVets

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Nov 11, 2016 at 6:33am PST

9.

The oldest known Pearl Harbor survivor returns to honor the fallen. Ray Chavez is 104 years old. In order to make the trip, he started working out with the help of a trainer, putting on 20 pounds of muscle. #PearlHarbor75 #HonoringVets

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Dec 7, 2016 at 8:13pm PST

8.

This morning at the #WWIIMemorial. #VeteransDay2016 #HonoringVets

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Nov 11, 2016 at 4:59am PST

7.

Korean War Veteran Paul Stanley, United States Air Force 1952-1954. #HonoringVets #VeteransDay2016

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Nov 11, 2016 at 8:08am PST

6.

Honoring those who sacrificed. The VFW and other volunteers placed 4000 American Flags at the graves of Veterans at the Alexandria National Cemetery this weekend. #HonoringVets #MemorialDay #FlagsIn

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on May 30, 2016 at 4:41am PDT

5.

A Pearl Harbor survivor stands for the presentation of the colors and the national anthem. #PearlHarbor75 #HonoringVets

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Dec 7, 2016 at 7:58pm PST

4.

#VeteransDay2016 #HonoringVets

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Nov 11, 2016 at 3:36am PST

3.

At Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Kentucky, a child carries a wreath to be placed on a Veteran’s grave site. Today, at national cemeteries across the country, volunteers with Wreaths Across America are placing wreaths in honor of those who served. #wreathsacrossamerica #HonoringVets

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Dec 17, 2016 at 10:05am PST

2.

15 year later… We remember

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Sep 11, 2016 at 4:49am PDT

1.

Volunteers will place holiday wreaths to honor and remember our nation’s Veterans at many of VA’s national cemeteries this Saturday, Dec. 17, during this year’s national Wreaths Across America event. A full list of scheduled events is available at cem.va.gov. Please check with your local cemetery for any changes to the schedule. Due to severe weather in parts of the country, some events have been postponed. If you visit a national cemetery for Wreaths Across America, don’t forget to share your photos with us. Email us at NCANews@va.gov or use the hashtags #HonoringVets #WreathsAcrossAmerica.

A photo posted by Department of Veterans Affairs (@deptvetaffairs) on Dec 16, 2016 at 6:36am PST