As the nation prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Department of Veterans Affairs is inviting Northwest Georgia and Chattanooga-area residents to honor those who died through a day of volunteer service.

The Chattanooga National Cemetery is among the cemeteries participating in the VA’s National Day of Service and Remembrance on Saturday, September 12, at 10 AM. Georgia National Cemetery and Marietta National Cemetery are also participating.

The National Cemetery Administration is partnering with the nonprofit organization Carry The Load for this year’s observance. Volunteers will take part in activities including cleaning veterans’ headstones and beautifying cemetery grounds. The program will also include a brief ceremony and instructions for volunteers. Supplies will be provided, and there is no charge to participate.

The service project follows Patriot Day on Friday, September 11, which this year marks a quarter-century since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

According to the VA, 47 veterans and dependents who died as a result of the 9/11 attacks are buried or memorialized in VA national cemeteries. In the years since the attacks, more than 16,000 Global War on Terror veterans have been interred in VA national cemeteries across the country.

VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Sam Brown said the anniversary provides an opportunity to remember the victims, first responders, military service members and families whose lives were forever changed by the attacks.

This year’s National Day of Service includes 144 participating cemeteries across the country, including 103 VA national cemeteries. Volunteers may arrive about 30 minutes before the 10 AM start to prepare for the activities.

Those interested in participating can find registration information through the VA National Cemetery Administration. National Day of Service information and participating cemeteries