Alexandrians Can Honor 9/11 by Caring for Veterans’ Graves Saturday
The free Sept. 12 project includes a brief ceremony, headstone cleaning and cemetery beautification on the weekend marking the 25th anniversary of the attacks.
ALEXANDRIA, VA — Alexandria residents can mark the 25th anniversary of Sept. 11 with more than remembrance this weekend. They can put their hands to work.
A free National Day of Service will bring volunteers to Alexandria National Cemetery, 1450 Wilkes St., from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12.
Volunteers will clean headstones and help beautify the historic cemetery in honor of military members, veterans, first responders and their families. Registration is free but required through the official Alexandria event page.
The project is part of a nationwide effort organized by Carry The Load in partnership with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration.
Alexandria is one of 144 participating cemeteries across the country, including 103 VA national cemeteries, 25 VA grant-funded cemeteries and 16 private cemeteries.
A Brief Ceremony, Then Work
The National Cemetery Administration says each event begins with a brief ceremony and instructions for cleaning headstones and caring for the grounds.
Volunteers may arrive as early as 9:30 a.m. to prepare before the 10 a.m. start.
The agency describes the work as an active way to honor people who served the country and to assure families “that their loved ones are not forgotten.”
Saturday’s service day follows Alexandria’s official Sept. 11 remembrance ceremony at Market Square. It is a separate event, giving residents another way to observe the anniversary through direct community service.
Part of a National Tribute
The attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, killed nearly 3,000 people and were followed by decades of military service and sacrifice.
Carry The Load says the cemetery projects honor those who died in the attacks while recognizing military members, veterans, first responders and families who carried the consequences in the years that followed.
The National Cemetery Administration says the nationwide effort will also honor more than 16,000 Global War on Terror veterans buried in participating cemeteries.
The work is suitable for individuals, youth groups and workplace teams, according to the VA. Specific assignments will be explained on site.
What Volunteers Need to Know
The Alexandria National Cemetery project runs from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1450 Wilkes St.
There is no registration fee, but advance registration is required. Volunteers may arrive 30 minutes early. Participants should review the event agenda and any clothing, accessibility or supply instructions on the official registration page before attending.
