In time for Memorial Day 2020, VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has enhanced capabilities on the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website for family, friends, and visitors to leave tributes or comments on a Veteran’s memorial page. The Veterans Legacy Memorial website is the nation’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to the memory of the 3.7 million Veterans interred in VA national cemeteries.
“Online memorialization becomes more prominent these days, allowing people to remotely honor the service and sacrifice of our Veterans,” said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. “The increased capabilities of VLM are in place at a critical time to ensure ‘No Veteran Ever Dies,’ by telling their stories to a larger audience through an enhanced digital platform. In addition, VLM allows people to express their appreciation and gratitude for the dedicated service of our Nation’s heroes.”
After creating an account on the website, visitors can leave a “tribute” to a Veteran who is meaningful to them, pick from an auto-generated list at the bottom of the page, or conduct a search based on any of the following: name, service branch, war period, or cemetery.
Tributes can be made in three ways:
- As a direct entry on a Veteran’s page
- As a reply to someone else’s tribute on a Veteran’s page
- As a direct entry to a memento or photos on a Veteran’s page
Once a tribute is reviewed and posted, visitors can share their post to social media (Facebook, Twitter) by clicking one of the share buttons in the upper right of the Veteran’s page. Visitors can also “like” a comment or image by pressing a small heart-shaped button.
Search for your loved one and leave a tribute.
All tributes are reviewed by Veterans Legacy Memorial administrators before being posted to the site to ensure decency consistent with the dignity and decorum of a VA national cemetery.
Veterans Legacy Memorial currently contains information on the 3.7 million Veterans in national cemeteries managed by VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA). VLM does not currently include Veterans in Army cemeteries (including Arlington National Cemetery), cemeteries managed by other the military departments, the National Park Service, the American Battle Monuments Commission, tribal cemeteries, state/territory cemeteries, or private cemeteries. In the future, NCA hopes to include Veterans memorialized at these other cemeteries.
More NCA Information
VA operates 142 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites in 41 states and Puerto Rico. For Veterans not buried in a VA national cemetery, VA provides headstones, markers or medallions to commemorate their service. Information on VA burial benefits is available from local VA national cemetery offices, online at https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/ or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at any open VA national cemetery at the time of need, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117. Download the Apply for Burial in a VA National Cemetery and for Memorial Products ‘Quick Start Guide’ at https://www.va.gov/welcome-kit/.
Note: story updated with information on other cemeteries.
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In special honor of my brothers of !st of 28th 1st Inf. Div. who gave their lives in Viet Nam. I pray that you are at peace. You are not forgotten.
Mom (Navy) and Dad (Army) both served during WWII along with seveal uncles and are buried in various cemeteries in WI. Sadly, the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) website does not/not allow me to honor their service.
WOJG LAWRENCE GASTON ARMY was in the PHILIPINES at the beginning of WWII. He was
my uncle. All I have been able to find out about him is that he became a POW. It is not clear to me if he surrendered on BATTAN or COREGIDOR. Next I know that he was being transported to JAPAN on the ship TRISTAN MARU and it was sunk by one of our submarines in OCTOBER 1944. His older brother PHILIP GASTON joined the ARMY and also fought in the PACIFIC. UNCLE PHILIP was rather estranged from my mother (HIS SISTER). I met him only once in his home in WACO TEXAS. I think it was 1965. He made it a point to spend time talking to my older brother and I. I remember he spoke of career, finance and family history! (I remember listening to him that afternoon and I will never know why? I was only 11 years old) He spoke of our family histoy back to the civil war. Of his little brother LAWRENCE GASTON he told us that when the war ended he was fighting in the PHILIPINES and spoke to surviving POW’s who almost all passed through for medical attention on their way home to the states. He could find no one who personally new his little brother! ALL THAT HE DID FIND OUT WAS THAT HIS BROTHER WAS WOUNDED IN THE SHOULDER FIGHTING! THEN HE BECAME A POW FOR 2 AND 1/2 YEARS and HE DIED ON A “HELL SHIP”.Nothing more! After the war his mother was sent a PURPLE HEART and a letter that he died in OCTOBER 1944.I never saw or spoke to my UNCLE PHILIP again because he killed himself in 1967. I can only imagine his own memories of fighting and the anguish his little brother went through for FOUR or FIVE MONTHS FIGHTING WITH WWI WEAPONS and AMMUNITION ON MINIMAL RATIONS and 2 and 1/2 years as a POW only to die at sea on a “HELL SHIP” by one of our own submarines!.THIS AND EVERY MEMORIAL DAY IS TO REMEMBER ALL THE VETRANS WHO SUFFERED THEN AND NOW FOR THOSE OF US WHO ARE SO UNDESERVING!
In memory of Eugene Denham, Korean War. RIP “POP. Love and miss you. Thank you for your service. You may be gotten but you are not forgotten.
I would like to honor and share the pride I have for my Uncles
Uncle Eugene Sowers — Pvt Eugene Sowers enlisted in Baltimore in 1943
and went overseas in March of this year. He participated in the invasion on D Day.
Word has just been received from the War Dept that he died in Paris.
Uncle David Sowers — Pvt David Sowers took his basic training at Fort Jackson
and went overseas in October 1943 with the tank destroyers.
Uncle Wilburn Sowers CPL Wilburn W Sowers enlisted in 1942 and has
been overseas about a month.
Uncle Robert Sowers –T-SGT Robert Sowers – enlisted in the army in 1937
and served 2 years in the Panama Canal zone and is now stationed at Camp Cooke, California.
They are the sons of Mr & Mrs Francis E. Sowers
This was a newspaper article in 1944
God Bless Veterans and America
I would like to honor:
My Uncle Macedonio F. Patino US Navy WW2
My Uncle Isidro F. Patino US Air force WW2
My Uncle Max F. Patino US Air Force WW2 & during Korea
My Uncle Jesus F. Pelayo US Marines WW2 & Korea
My Brother Ismael P. Herrera US Army WW2
Thanks and God Bless You.
My father, Donald R. Dinger, from Cleveland, Ohio died 27 June 2015. WW11 Veteran. He was with 511PIR, 11th AB Division. I miss you dad. Thank you for your sevice! Your son, Mike Dinger
National cemeteries weren’t established until the carnage of the civil war. I’d like to honor my ggggrandfather Abraham Taylor 1765-1839 who served 6 months ( June 1, 1780-Nov. 1780) as a teamster with the 13th Regiment of Connecticut Militia under Capt. Daniel Camp and Colonel Sam Canfield during the War for Independence. He is buried in the Stevensville Cemetery, Stevensville, Bradford County, Pa. Find-a-grave Memorial #25970956. The Record of Connecticut Men in the Military and Naval Service During the War of the Revolution 1775-1783. Pg. 436, Thirteenth Regiment. RIP ABE.
I am named after my Uncle Eddie:
1st Lt. Edward J. DeLuca
77th Infantry Division
Died of Wounds, July 22 1944. Liberating U.S. soil from the Japanese, on the Island of Guam.
My Mother’s & my Uncle Lou’s brother. My Grand Mother’s son.
Being born April 1946, I was named, Edward J. D’Amato. Every day of my life I wish that I had met and known my Uncle Eddie.
Trying to live up to his name and service, I enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1964, and served in Vietnam from May 1967 to June 1968.
The World War II guys are all my heroes, and I hope that Memorial Day will not be thought as just a day off from school & work, with barbecues of burgers & hot dogs.
PLEASE, teach all your sons, daughters, grandsons & grand daughters the true meaning of this solemn day. And hope beyond hope that those brave men & women who gave the ULTIMATE sacrifice in service to this country, will NEVER be forgotten. And may all these heroes, from all of our wars… Rest In Peace.
The WEB for honoring our deceased veterans is not working. I would to honor Cpt. Akos Dezso Szekely of Silver Spring, Maryland, KIA in Viet Nam in 1968 while I was in the army with the 21st Artillery. He was a wonderful friend and I wish I could find some of his family so that I might tell them how much he meant to me when we were in high school and ran cross country and track together. He was one of my heroes and a big loss to us all. RIP, dear Akos.
Remembering my big brother SP4 DOC Michael H Flood KIA 4/4/1969, A Shau Valley, while he was giving aid to a downed soldier. He is honored daily when people travel IL Highway Rte 121 between Toledo and Greenup, IL. It took oir family 43 years to find the truth of what happened in 1969 and 49 years to have him honored publicly in Cumberland County IL. People still have an aversion for anything concerning Vietnam and we need to change that before all our Vietnam veterans are all gone.
This VA WEBSITE does not work… it’s like everything else at VA… BROKEN BEYOND REPAIR!! VA is the 2nd largest agency behind the defense department. VA is what single payer health care will look like.
My Uncle, James A Golden,SSGT, US Army Air Corp veteran of WW2, Korean War, and a POW died March 9, 2019 and is buried at Ft. Harrison, Montana. I am unable to locate any info about him in the VLM registry. Therefore I will honor his service and sacrifice here. You are my hero Mr. Golden, Rest in Peace. I miss you and think of you often.
James R Seymour
Hello James,
I did some research on your uncle, James A. Golden and found a James A. Golden, SSGT, US Air Force, Korea and POW died March 10, 2019. He is buried at Montana State Veterans Cemetery in Helena which is operated by the state of Montana. http://montanadma.org/montana-state-veterans-cemetery
Currently, the Veterans Legacy Memorial contains information on the 3.7 million Veterans in national cemeteries managed by VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
VLM does not currently include Veterans in Army cemeteries (including Arlington National Cemetery), cemeteries managed by other the military departments, the National Park Service, the American Battle Monuments Commission, tribal cemeteries, state/territory cemeteries, or private cemeteries.
In the future, NCA hopes to include Veterans memorialized at these other cemeteries.
In Memory of my husband. Robert L Dunleavy United States Airforce, Vietnam. Today and everyday I Thank You and All Veterans for their service and to all that gave the Ultimate Sacrifice. Thank You for allowing me to continue to live in a land that’s Free, for Liberty, the Pursuit of happiness, and Justice for all.
My husband is buried at Arlington … Why isn’t it listed? He had a military funeral.
Renee, thanks for the question and for your husband’s service. Currently Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) contains information on the 3.7M Veterans in cemeteries managed by VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA). Arlington National Cemetery is managed by the Army and is not included in VLM. NCA hopes to add additional cemeteries to VLM in the future so that more Veterans like your husband can be memorialized on the web site.
I honor my father WWII, Edwill J. Butler MM1 United States Navy, Iwo Jima,Okinawa
I honor my father in-law WWII Frank Cimino United States Army, Burma
I honor my friend Robert Woelfel SN United States Navy, Vietnam
God Bless Veterans and America
My late husband is buried on a local cemetery together with one of his sons.
What a terrible website….If you put a name in the search, it comes back that they cannot find the Veteran. If you go down further down to second search area once you click it a name search comes up but will not allow you put the name in the search area. A first grader could put a website out better than the people that the VA pays lots of money to develop.
I agree – I certainly know my husband’s name, service and that he is interred at Arlington… not able to get ANYWHERE on this site… this is very disappointing and stressful ! Dana Chwan, Colorado
Hi Dana,
Thank you for your post and for your husband’s service. Currently, the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) contains information on the 3.7 million Veterans interred in VA’s 142 national cemeteries managed by VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA).
VLM does not currently include Veterans in Army cemeteries (including Arlington National Cemetery), cemeteries managed by other the military departments, the National Park Service, the American Battle Monuments Commission, tribal cemeteries, state/territory cemeteries, or private cemeteries.
In the future, NCA hopes to include Veterans memorialized at these other cemeteries.
RIP to my friends & family who have served this country and continue to “Hold the Line”!
Eldrerico Taffi, Grandfather, Italian immigrant, Army, WWI, 1st Infantry Division
Donald Taffi, Father, Army, Korean War, 1st Armored Division
Ceceil Rollins, Uncle, USMC, Korean War
Chester Taffi, Uncle, Army, WWII, 82nd Airborne
Roger Taffi, Cousin, son of Chester Taffi, Vietnam, 101st airborne
Bill Hatcher, Friend, USMC, Cold War
To all who have Served both Enlisted and Drafted I thank you for your service no matter what branch, what rank, or where you served. May God Bless this Nation of America and all families and friends of our Service Men and Women, Amen
This tribute is for my Uncle Mose Hooks, who served the United States with all of his heart. He willingly did 3 tours in Vietnam and retired with many honors. He is buried in a State cemetery in North Little Rock Arkansas.
I can not find my Marine Buddy Robert Janczak Died March 30, 2020 to be buried in Union Grove Cemetery. Born Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Called the VFW Post in oak Grove Wisconsin and asked for memorial information, when it will be held Etc. no response from the comander and no results here.
Gregory, thanks for clicking over to Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) to try to find your buddy. If Robert is scheduled to be buried in a State Veterans Cemetery or Private Cemetery, his memorial record won’t show up in VLM. Currently VLM contains information on the 3.7M Veterans in national cemeteries managed by VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA). In the future, NCA hopes to include Veterans at other cemeteries.
Hi Gregory, I’m also a friend of Rob Janczaks, and just found out yesterday he passed away. I know him from church and had gone on the Honor Flight with him. I’m also trying to find information if there will be a veterans memorial service for him.
Dad you were my best friend who was always willing to listen to me an give me advice. I miss you dearly. It is because of some of the things that you taught me that has made me a better person now than I would have been. This is the first time ever I have not had the 2 things I enjoyed most…baseball and you dad. You made life bearable.
A Prayer of Remembrance: Gone But Not Forgot
Your life was given and mine was spared
We fought together for freedom we cared
No matter the pain, the memory, the burden to bear,
You will live on through me, by G-d I swear!
For you my friend, I take the time to pray
G-d give me strength to honor you this day
Your soul is remembered with this very thought:
Though you are gone, you are not forgot!
michael l elterman
USMC
To my father that served in the Korean War. Corp Vincent Amoroso. Rest in peace dad. Love, James and family
To my brother, “Christopher Justin Abston, 1/505th 82nd ABN 04 DEC 05” as they say “some gave all. and all gave some”! You gave all brother and I miss you!
Wish you had virtual memorial rememberance for all veterans. My Dad is not buried at VA Cemetery but 20 years retired he could been. We put him in private cemetery next to my Mom. I saw you had a way to look up veterans but because he not in va Cemetery didn’t find him. He deserves to be recognized too.
Robie, yes currently Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM) doesn’t include Veterans in cemeteries that are not managed by VA. We hope to add other cemeteries to VLM in the future, so that your Dad’s legacy and additional Veterans can be included.
Veterans buried in state military cemeteries, e.g., Rio Grande Valley Veterans Cemetery, are not listed as VA cemeteries, yet are partially funded by the VA. They should be included.
Patrick — thanks much for the feedback. The National Cemetery Administration hopes to add additional cemeteries to Veterans Legacy Memorial in the future.
Why is Arlington not listed?
James, Arlington National Cemetery is managed by the Army and is not included in Veterans Legacy Memorial. Currently only cemeteries manages by National Cemetery Administration (NCA) are included. NCA hopes to add additional cemeteries to VLM in the future so that more Veterans can be memorialized on the web site.
My uncle is not buried in a veterans’ cemetery. So, I will honor him here.
Sgt. Lee Byrd, 27th Inf., died on Okinawa.
Uncle Lee, I never got to meet you, but I have always loved you.
J.D. Byrd (2/27 Inf., 25th Inf. Div., Vietnam ’66-’67)
Any plans to to expand this virtual program honor to the WWII veterans buried in local cemetery’s?
I would also like this option.
Children of veterans buried in cemetery near their home town are more likely to visit and recognize the veteran symbols of a flag, medallion (an all year round recognition) and ingraved military. A learning way to appreciate an American hero and example for them to follow.. Sincerely, Jarilyn L (Jackson) Romney.
Nile, thanks for the question. Currently, Veterans Legacy Memorial contains information on the 3.7M Veterans in national cemeteries managed by VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA). VLM does not currently include Veterans in Army cemeteries (including Arlington National Cemetery), cemeteries managed by other the military Departments, the U.S. Park Service, the American Battle Monuments Commission, tribal cemeteries, state/territory cemeteries, or private cemeteries. In the future, NCA hopes to include Veterans memorialized at these other cemeteries.
I would like to see all WWII veterans recognized in this virtual program.