Federal cemeteries routinely block grieving families from visiting fallen heroes on the very holidays meant to honor their sacrifice, a practice Senator Steve Daines aims to end with new legislation.
Key Takeaways
- Senator Steve Daines has introduced legislation to keep national cemeteries open during federal holidays when they are typically closed to visitors.
- Currently, over 170 federally managed cemeteries are closed on major holidays, with Arlington National Cemetery being the notable exception on Memorial Day and Veterans Day.
- The bill would allow families to visit loved ones and permit veteran organizations to conduct ceremonies like wreath-laying on holidays.
- Montana has only two national cemeteries: Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National Cemetery.
- National cemeteries have been under federal management since the Civil War when they were established for Union soldiers.
Denying Access on Days of Remembrance
In a move that highlights the disconnect between government policy and the needs of grieving families, most of America’s 170-plus national cemeteries remain locked on the very holidays when Americans most want to honor their fallen heroes. Senator Steve Daines of Montana has stepped forward with legislation that would mandate these sacred grounds remain open and accessible during federal holidays, challenging the current practice that bars visitors from paying respects to their loved ones on days like Memorial Day, Christmas, and Independence Day.
“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,” said Senator Steve Daines.
America’s Heritage of Honoring the Fallen
The federal government’s relationship with national cemeteries dates back to the Civil War, when burial grounds were established for Union soldiers who died in the conflict. Today, these hallowed grounds are managed by multiple federal agencies including the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National Park Service. Surprisingly, not every state has a national cemetery, with Montana being home to just two: Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National Cemetery. This limited access makes holiday closures even more painful for families who may need to travel significant distances to visit their loved ones’ final resting places.
Under the current system, cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs and National Parks Service close their gates on major holidays when many Americans have time off work to visit. Arlington National Cemetery stands as a notable exception, remaining open on Memorial Day and Veterans Day—a policy that Daines believes should extend to all federal cemeteries. The contrast between the recognition of these days as times for national remembrance and the practical barriers to actually visiting gravesites represents a bureaucratic contradiction that the senator’s legislation aims to correct.
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.
Supporting Veterans Organizations and Ceremonies
Beyond simply allowing family visits, the Daines bill includes provisions for veteran organizations to conduct meaningful ceremonies on these holidays. Activities such as wreath-laying, flag placements, and memorial services would be expressly permitted, ensuring that collective acts of remembrance can take place when they carry the most significance. This aspect of the legislation recognizes that honoring fallen service members often extends beyond individual family grieving to include community-wide recognition of sacrifice and service to the nation.
This legislation comes at a time when many Americans increasingly feel that traditional values and patriotic observances are being sidelined by government bureaucracy. While the federal government closes these cemeteries presumably for staffing and budget considerations, the effect is to deny Americans access to important spaces of mourning and reflection on the very days designated for such activities. The message from Daines is clear: honoring our fallen heroes should take precedence over administrative convenience.
“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.
