Montana Senator Steve Daines is fighting to end a callous government policy that locks grieving military families out of national cemeteries on the very holidays meant to honor their fallen loved ones.
Key Takeaways
- Sen. Steve Daines has introduced legislation to ensure national cemeteries remain open on federal holidays, allowing families to visit fallen service members.
- Currently, most of the 170+ federally managed cemeteries close on major holidays like Memorial Day, Christmas, and Independence Day.
- The bill would allow veteran organizations to conduct ceremonies such as wreath-laying and memorial services on federal holidays.
- Only Arlington National Cemetery currently remains open on Memorial Day and Veterans Day, while all other national cemeteries close their gates.
- National cemeteries have been established since the Civil War era but operate under restrictive visitation policies.
Daines Champions Access to Honor Fallen Heroes
Senator Steve Daines is taking a stand against an overlooked government policy that prevents Americans from paying respects to fallen heroes on the very days meant to honor their sacrifice. The Montana Republican has introduced legislation that would require all federally operated cemeteries to remain open during nationally recognized holidays, including Memorial Day, Christmas, and Independence Day. This comes as a response to current policies that keep most national cemeteries closed on these significant days, with limited exceptions like Arlington National Cemetery, which opens on Memorial Day and Veterans 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. 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, Republican from Montana.
Honoring Our Heroes: A Matter of Respect
The bill specifically targets more than 170 cemeteries overseen by the federal government, including those managed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Park Service, and the Department of Defense. Daines’ legislation would not only ensure access for grieving families but would also permit veteran organizations to conduct meaningful ceremonies such as wreath-laying and memorial services on federal holidays. These occasions hold special significance for the families of fallen service members and veterans who wish to honor their loved ones’ sacrifices.
“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,” said Senator Steve Daines, Republican from Montana.
America’s National Cemetery System
The federal government’s involvement in national cemeteries dates back to the 1860s during the Civil War when these sacred grounds were established to honor Union soldiers. Today, the system has expanded to more than 170 cemeteries nationwide, yet not all states have one. Montana itself has only two: Fort Missoula Post Cemetery and Yellowstone National Cemetery. The current closure policy seems particularly tone-deaf considering that holidays like Memorial Day were specifically created to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation’s freedom.
For many Americans, especially veterans’ families, the current policy represents yet another example of government bureaucracy interfering with common sense and proper respect for our nation’s heroes. Senator Daines’ bill addresses this disconnect by ensuring that these sacred grounds remain accessible precisely when Americans most want to visit them—during holidays that celebrate patriotism, remembrance, and family. The legislation recognizes that honoring fallen service members shouldn’t be restricted by arbitrary government schedules but should be facilitated, especially on days of national significance.
