The Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration announced Monday it has enhanced and expanded capabilities on the Veterans Legacy Memorial website, https://www.va.gov/remember, for family, friends and visitors to leave “Tributes” or comments on a Veteran’s memorial page. VLM is, by design, easy-to-use and navigate and is the country’s first digital platform dedicated entirely to the preservation of 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, visitors can leave a “Tribute” to a eteran meaningful to them, pick from an auto-generated list at the bottom of the page, or conduct a simple 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; or
• As a reply to someone else’s Tribute on a veteran’s page; or
• 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. Users can also “like” a comment or image by pressing a small heart-shaped button.
All “Tributes” are reviewed by a VLM administrator before being posted to the site to ensure the decency consistent with the dignity and decorum of a VA national cemetery.
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.