This Memorial Day, neither distance nor COVID-19 will stop military families from getting a chance to honor their loved ones buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
That’s in part because of the Honor Project, which will allow volunteers to come pay respects to fallen soldiers on behalf of their families and loved ones who can’t be there in person.
Emily Domenech, who helped start the initiative, said the idea began last year when visitations were upended by the coronavirus pandemic. Since only family members were allowed to visit the cemetery, Domenech offered to pay respects on peoples’ behalf and received an overwhelming response.
“It was a very moving experience because the level of gratitude from these families was so significant,” Domenech told the Washington Examiner.
This year, Domenech is partnering with the Travis Manion Foundation, a veterans advocacy nonprofit organization, to ensure every veteran can be remembered, even when there are barriers.
Families will be able to request a visit to a grave, and the foundation will coordinate a local volunteer to go pay respects to the person’s grave during Memorial Day weekend. The volunteer will provide a handcrafted wood flag at the desired grave, and a photo of the headstone and fallen soldier will be shared online with the hashtag #TheHonorProject.
Domenech, whose normal Memorial Day routine is visiting her veteran grandfather’s grave in Arlington, said her experience last year helped her recognize that there’s a need for remote remembrance even after the pandemic eventually wanes.
“It was really clear to me that what to me seemed like just a COVID need was really a national, annual need to give families access to their loved ones,” she said.
Domenech added that her long-term goal is to expand the project to other veteran cemeteries across the country and coordinate a national network of volunteers.
This year will focus on the Washington, D.C., area, in hopes of giving people a chance to experience Arlington National Cemetery without having to travel.
“It’s been really moving and cool to be able to introduce a lot of people who may never have come to D.C. or may never have been to Arlington about how important [it is] as a society that we honor these people and that we remember their sacrifice every year,” Domenech said.
To find out more about the Honor Project, those interested can visit the Travis Manion Foundation website.
