Senator Daines takes a stand for families of fallen heroes as federal cemeteries remain locked on days meant to honor sacrifice.
Key Takeaways
- Montana Senator Steve Daines has introduced legislation to keep national cemeteries open on federal holidays, including Memorial Day, Christmas, and Independence Day.
- Currently, most of the 170+ federal cemeteries remain closed on holidays, with Arlington National Cemetery being a notable exception on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- The bill would enable grieving families to visit deceased loved ones and allow veteran organizations to conduct ceremonies like wreath-laying on holidays.
- The legislation addresses a surprising gap in federal policy that prevents Americans from honoring fallen service members at their gravesites on days specifically designated for remembrance.
Honoring the Fallen When It Matters Most
In a move that highlights an overlooked gap in how America honors its fallen heroes, Senator Steve Daines of Montana has introduced legislation requiring all federally maintained cemeteries to remain accessible during key national holidays. Most Americans would be surprised to learn that the majority of our 170+ national cemeteries currently lock their gates on the very days set aside to honor sacrifice and service. This legislation would ensure families can visit grave sites on significant commemorative days like Memorial Day, Christmas, and Independence Day, when the desire to connect with departed loved ones is often strongest.
The federal cemetery system, which began during the Civil War to honor Union soldiers, has grown substantially but maintains surprisingly restrictive access policies. While Arlington National Cemetery makes exceptions for Memorial Day and Veterans Day, most cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Park Service remain inaccessible on federal holidays. Daines’ bill directly addresses this disconnect between the purpose of these holidays and the inability of families to visit the resting places of those who served.
“Federal holidays like Memorial Day give us the opportunity to remember all those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice to protect our freedoms. Our national cemeteries should be open on these special days, so that family and friends can pay their respects to their loved ones,” stated Senator Steve Daines.
Expanding Access for Families and Veterans Organizations
The legislation goes beyond simply opening gates – it creates opportunities for proper ceremonial honors. Veteran organizations would be permitted to conduct meaningful ceremonies such as wreath-laying and memorial services on holidays. This provision recognizes the important role these organizations play in maintaining traditions that honor service and sacrifice. For many veterans and military families, these ceremonies provide both closure and connection to the broader community of those who have served, making the current policy of locked cemeteries on holidays particularly painful.
Not all states currently have a national cemetery, with Montana having just two: Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National Cemetery. This limited access makes it even more crucial that when families travel to visit these sacred grounds, they aren’t met with locked gates on the very days most associated with remembrance. The current situation forces families to plan visits around bureaucratic schedules rather than meaningful dates, undermining the purpose of these memorial grounds.
Sen. Steve Daines wants to ensure that grieving families can visit their fallen loved ones, with new legislation that would require all national cemeteries to be open on major holidays.
Ensuring Proper Recognition of Service and Sacrifice
At its core, this legislation addresses a fundamental issue of respect. When federal holidays specifically set aside to honor those who served their country coincide with policies preventing access to their final resting places, it creates a contradictory message about how we value their sacrifice. Daines’ bill realigns federal policy with the stated purpose of these commemorative days, ensuring that words of honor are matched with meaningful access for those who wish to pay their respects in person.
“I’m proud to introduce this bill to ensure that our fallen service members can receive the tributes and honor that they deserve,” said Senator Steve Daines.
The proposed legislation represents a straightforward fix to an oversight in how federal agencies manage these sacred grounds. While maintaining the solemn dignity of national cemeteries remains paramount, there appears to be no compelling reason why these sites should remain closed on the very days when Americans are most likely to want to visit them. By requiring access on federal holidays, Daines’ bill ensures that the symbolic importance of these days aligns with practical access for families and veterans seeking to honor their fallen.
