American Legion Auxiliary members across the nation helped power a record-breaking tribute to veterans, beautifying national cemeteries to commemorate the 25th anniversary of 9/11.
9/11 National Day of Service 2026 called on volunteers to clean veterans’ headstones and complete landscaping projects at the cemeteries. The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) partnered with the nonprofit Carry The Load to organize the event at 141 national, state veteran, and private cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico.
Although the 9/11 National Day of Service is an annual event, this year’s activities took on a unique meaning in light of the anniversary of the attack it commemorates.
The goal for the 9/11 National Day of Service was twofold, said Jim Theres, who conducts public affairs for the cemetery administration. The event served as a remembrance of those who died on 9/11 and as a tribute to veterans, including those who served in the War on Terror.
“We just hope people know service to the country and sacrifice to the country come with real consequences,” Theres said.
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Volunteers heeded the call to get involved, with more than 16,000 people signing up — representing a 500 percent increase compared with 2025.
Among those volunteers were ALA members, many of whom participated alongside others from their units. Vicky Balentine of ALA Unit 41 in Keokuk, Iowa, and Cindy Boehnlein of Ohio ALA Unit 2 in Cleveland, beautified cemeteries in their communities.
“We thought since it was 9/11, we needed to help,” said Balentine, one of three Unit 41 volunteers at Keokuk National Cemetery.
9/11 National Day of Service organizers hoped volunteers would feel connected to the experiences of the veterans they were honoring. They asked participants to add to the online Veterans Legacy Memorial page for someone whose headstone they cleaned.
Boehnlein and Balentine had relatives buried in the cemeteries where they volunteered.
“It gave us a chance to honor the warriors,” Boehnlein said, “and see the names of those who actually served.”
Boehnlein also learned more about one veteran, Delvia Powers, whose headstone she cleaned at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. After serving as a first lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps in the South Pacific during World War II, Boehnlein learned, Powers was a public health nurse in Cuyahoga County in Ohio for 25 years.
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Theres said event organizers hope the 2026 event plants the seed of service for younger volunteers to carry on for years to come. Boehnlein, for example, plans to suggest cleanup and research at Western Reserve as an activity for Unit 2 Juniors. Balentine said her ALA unit’s Junior members will continue their longtime practice of volunteering at Keokuk National Cemetery.
“This provides an opportunity to pay respects,” Theres said, “and it’s very important that we do that. A lot of veterans’ graves may not get many visitors, but on this day, you can be one of those visitors.”
9/11 National Day of Service: By the Numbers
In the spirit of Service, Not Self, the mission of the American Legion Auxiliary is to support The American Legion and to honor the sacrifice of those who serve by enhancing the lives of our veterans, military, and their families, both at home and abroad. For God and Country, we advocate for veterans, educate our citizens, mentor youth, and promote patriotism, good citizenship, peace and security.
