Memorial Day may be behind us, but remembering our Veterans should not be limited to a single day each year. One lesser-known resource available to families, researchers, and community members is the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM), an online memorial maintained by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Think of it as a digital extension of a Veteran’s final resting place. While a headstone or marker provides a physical location for remembrance, the Veterans Legacy Memorial allows a Veteran’s story to be preserved and shared online for future generations.
The Veterans Legacy Memorial includes records for millions of Veterans interred in VA national cemeteries, VA grant-funded state and tribal Veterans cemeteries, military cemeteries, and other participating locations. Visitors can search for a Veteran by name and view burial information, service details, photographs of headstones, and other available records.
One of the most meaningful features is the ability for family members, friends, and others to contribute content. Photographs, biographies, military service information, and written tributes can be submitted to help tell the story behind the name engraved on a marker. These contributions help transform a simple record into a lasting memorial.
For many families, this may be especially valuable as generations pass. Military records, photographs, and personal stories are often scattered among family members or lost over time. The Veterans Legacy Memorial provides an opportunity to preserve those memories in a location that can be accessed by descendants, historians, and community members for years to come.
The resource may also be useful for local history efforts. Readers may recall previous discussions about identifying and documenting Veterans buried throughout Lake County. Tools such as the Veterans Legacy Memorial can assist researchers and families in locating burial sites and learning more about a Veteran’s service.
The idea of preserving a Veteran’s legacy is also reflected in the ongoing Lake County Veterans Memorial project. While the memorial recognizes Veterans within our local community, the Veterans Legacy Memorial helps ensure their stories can be shared far beyond county lines and preserved for future generations.
As with many things related to family history, the best time to preserve information is before it is needed. Consider taking a few moments to gather photographs, military documents, and stories from older family members. What seems ordinary today may become an invaluable piece of family history tomorrow.
If you would like to explore the Veterans Legacy Memorial, simply visit va.gov and search for “Veterans Legacy Memorial” or navigate to VA.gov/Remember. It is a simple but powerful way to honor service, preserve history, and ensure that future generations remember those who served.
Brad Anderson and Melissa Crandall, Lake County Veterans Service Officers, 218.834.8326 or cvso@co.lake.mn.us
Karen Christianson, Cook County Veterans Service Officer, 218.387.3639, or karen.christianson@co.cook.mn.us
