On Wednesday, September 11, from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and Carry The Load (CTL) will partner on a national day of service (Headstone/marker cleaning and grounds beautification) at 40 national cemeteries across the country.
Volunteers clean a headstone during a previous event.
Eighteen years ago, four coordinated attacks against the United States on the morning of September 11 took the lives of 3,000 people, injured over 6,000 others, and destroyed both World Trade Center buildings and severely damaged the Pentagon. Since that time, many others have died from 9/11-related cancers and respiratory illnesses. There is no other single day in our lifetime when Americans from every corner of our nation put every difference aside and embraced one another. September 11 joined Dec. 7 as a “day of infamy” calling forth the resolve of our nation. It was our Pearl Harbor.
And just like after Pearl Harbor, the world did not stop. The stories of heroism and selfless acts of courage inspired us. We remember the numerous police and fire department first responders who rushed in toward danger to save lives in New York; the military and civilian personnel at the Pentagon in Washington D.C.; the courageous group of airline passengers who rushed the cockpit of Flight 93 (“Let’s Roll,”), somewhere over western Pennsylvania, thwarting what was to be another attack on our nation’s capital. For all that was witnessed that day, what came forth was a new group of heroes who met the challenge and saved countless lives.
And since that day, our 9/11 heroes have inspired a new generation of service – one that will forever link first responders and the military. Their humility showcased a new generation, in the mold of every generation before them, who answered the call when freedom was threatened. Like the over 400 first responders of 9/11, many of these young men and women gave their lives for freedom, blazing a path they never had a chance to walk.
Where to volunteer
To honor our men and women buried in VA national cemeteries and commemorate the heroism of September 11, 2001, consider volunteering on this National Day of Service. NCA/CTL National Day of Service Registration:
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery (Elwood, IL)
Alexandria National Cemetery (Alexandria, VA)
Annapolis National Cemetery (Annapolis, MD)
Baltimore National Cemetery (Catonsville, MD)
Calverton National Cemetery (Calverton, NY)
Cave Hill NC – (Louisville, KY)
Chattanooga National Cemetery (Chattanooga, TN)
Culpeper National Cemetery (Culpeper, VA)
Dayton National Cemetery (Dayton, OH)
DFW National Cemetery (Dallas, TX)
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery (San Antonio, TX)
Fort Bliss National Cemetery (El Paso, TX)
Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery (F. Leavenworth, KS)
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery – (San Diego, CA)
Fort Scott National Cemetery (Fort Scott, KS)
Fort Snelling National Cemetery (Minneapolis, MN)
Fort Smith National Cemetery (Fort Smith, AR)
Georgia National Cemetery (Canton, GA)
Golden Gate National Cemetery – (Bruno, CA)
Houston National Cemetery (Houston, TX)
Los Angeles National Cemetery (Los Angeles, CA)
Leavenworth National Cemetery (Leavenworth, KS)
Little Rock National Cemetery (Little Rock, AR)
Marietta National Cemetery (Mariettta, GA.)
Marion National Cemetery (Marion, IN)
Memphis National Cemetery (Memphis, TN)
Miramar National Cemetery – (San Diego, CA)
New Albany NC – (Albany, IN)
Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery (Seville, OH)
Omaha National Cemetery (Omaha, NE)
Philadelphia National Cemetery (Philadelphia, PA)
Prescott National Cemetery (Prescott, AZ)
Quantico National Cemetery (Triangle, VA)
Raleigh National Cemetery (Raleigh, NC)
Sacramento Valley National Cemetery (Dixon, CA)
San Francisco National Cemetery – (San Francisco, CA)
Tahoma National Cemetery (Kent, WA.)
Washington Crossing National Cemetery (Newton, PA)
Wood National Cemetery (Milwaukee, WI)
Zachary Taylor National Cemetery (Louisville, KY)