This year, the American Battle Monuments Commission will join the America250 initiative to inspire Americans to reflect on their past, strengthen their love of country, and renew their commitment to the ideals of democracy through programs that educate, engage, and unite the nation.

Since the American Revolution, Americans have served and sacrificed for their ideals. ABMC’s mission as the preeminent guardian of America’s commemorative military cemeteries and memorials worldwide is to honor those who continued that long arc of service and sacrifice from the Revolution to today. The agency preserves service members’ legacies by seeking new and innovative ways to reflect on the evolving nature of sacrifice fulfilling the promise of General of the Armies John J. Pershing that, “Time will not dim the glory of their deeds.”

The thread of U.S. military service and the ideals of liberty trace directly to the American Revolution and our nation’s pursuit of independence. The Declaration of Independence provided for the fledgling nation to raise an army and fight for sovereignty, a spirit that has carried the nation forward through more than two centuries and numerous military conflicts.

As a part of the America250 initiative, ABMC has already participated in the Flag Sojourn 250 campaign, an initiative to fly a U.S. flag over all ABMC cemeteries and in each U.S. state and territory. Throughout the year staff will continue to highlight “The Long Arc of American Service and Sacrifice” with stories, tours and partnerships highlighting ABMC’s ties to the American Revolution and signing of the Declaration of Independence.

America250 seeks to engage every American in our nation’s history. Each year over 3 million visitors come to ABMC sites around the world to engage with the history of American conflicts oversea and the stories of the service members who sacrificed for our freedoms.

For Americans who can’t visit ABMC sites in person, 360 virtual tours let visitors experience our sites from anywhere in the world. These immersive tours highlight features and stories from our 26 cemeteries and 31 monuments and help us share the legacy of the more than 230,000 service members buried or memorialized at our sites with generations to come.

This article is one in a series highlighting ABMC’s ties to America250. Look for more at: Commemorating America’s 250th Anniversary at ABMC