
One Hundred Years Of Honoring Heroes

(NAPSI)—A century-old mission takes on new meaning and you can be part of it.
Then
One hundred years ago, America was undertaking a solemn national responsibility unlike any it had previously faced. World War I had just ended, taking the lives of more than 100,000 Americans, and the logistics and cost to bring their remains home were overwhelming for the nation. At the same time, America refused to back down on the promise to give the fallen a respectful place of rest.
The War Department decided to send letters to 74,770 next-of-kin, asking if they would like their loved ones to be brought home or if they would agree to have them laid to rest permanently near the battlefields of Europe. More than 30,000 families elected to have their fallen service members forever honored on the continent they helped saved. This began a tradition that continued after World War II.
Now
In 1923, the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) was established as a federal agency to act as the guardian of American military cemeteries and memorials abroad. Today, ABMC oversees 31 military monuments and 26 burial grounds on five continents, holding more than 123,000 graves.
While these sites remember sacrifices made generations ago, ABMC ensures they remain pristine, stately and awe-inspiring. In ABMC cemeteries, thousands of precisely aligned white headstones mark the graves of the fallen equally, without regard to rank, race, or religion—a historic decision for the segregated era in which they were created. Many sites also contain towering Walls of the Missing, etched with tens of thousands of names who have yet to be recovered. These burial grounds are set in reverent landscapes, adorned with distinguished art and architecture, and are cared for by a staff of both Americans and local citizens.
ABMC’s mission has evolved over the last century. In its early years, ABMC’s sites served largely as places of grieving and remembrance for relatives and comrades. Today, they have become places of education to ensure that new generations know the sacrifice and achievements of those ABMC memorializes and those with whom they served.
What You Can Do
On ABMC’s centennial anniversary, Americans are invited to virtually explore its cemeteries and memorials, visit one of the sites in person, or search ABMC’s online register at ABMC.gov to discover a connection to one of the patriots the agency proudly honors. By making remembrance an action, you will help the nation continue to uphold the promissory words of ABMC’s first chairman, General John J. Pershing, who said, “Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”
On the Net:North American Precis Syndicate, Inc.(NAPSI)
Get Top Stories Delivered Weekly
Recent theclockonline News Articles
Discuss This Article
MOST POPULAR THECLOCKONLINE

Campton Elementary School 8th Grade Silent Auction & Spaghetti Dinner By Rebecca Tgibedes

Will You? By Isabelle Elsasser

Summer in the Sunflowers By Emily Holleran

Student Spotlight: Sabrina Siegel By Justine Walsh
GET TOP STORIES DELIVERED WEEKLY
FOLLOW OUR NEWSPAPER
LATEST THECLOCKONLINE NEWS
RECENT THECLOCKONLINE CLASSIFIEDS
OUTSIDE THE LINES
- How AI Prompts Can Level the Playing Field for...
- A Faster Way To A Happier Year for Houstonians:...
- A Faster Way To A Happier Year In Albuquerque: High-Speed...
- Understanding Thyroid Health
- Financial Wellness in 2025: Start with These Simple Steps
- Updated Pneumococcal Vaccine Recommendations Will Help...
- America’s Spam Scorecard
- Hints To Help You Have A Better New Year
- Finding Malu: Restoring Family Links Program Reconnects...
- Reducing Your Risk of RSV: What You Need to Know
FROM AROUND THE WEB
- Widespread Accessibility Barriers Still Exist for...
- 4 Sneaky and Creative Ways to Boost Your Kids' Immunity...
- Securing America’s Scientific Leadership Takes Innovation
- School choice: A lifeline for Latino families in America
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Captivating Winter Reads
- As K-12 enrollment shifts, families lead education´s ...
- How Standards Will Help the United States Retain Global...
- Planning a trip to Northern Arizona? Check out this...
- BookTrib’s Bites: Four Fantastic Winter Reads
- Marine Toys for Tots Embraces the New Year with New Resolve