Overseas Graves Decoration Trust opens for 2024 requests

The American Legion Overseas Graves Decoration Trust Fund, established in the 1920s, provides U.S. flags – from Emblem Sales, made in the USA – flown at cemeteries and burial sites in foreign countries where American troops are buried or memorialized, as well as wreaths. Funds from the trust are used “exclusively to honor, preserve and decorate the graves of those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces in World War I, World War II, the Korean War or the Vietnam War. American Legion departments and posts outside the continental United States may request funds to honor and decorate individual graves of those veterans laid to rest outside an American Battle Monument Commission-controlled facility.”

The request period for 2024 opened Nov. 1. Requests should be sent to the American Legion national treasurer at financedivision@legion.org and CC’d to dhaggan@sbcglobal.net, and must include the following information:

1. The name of the veteran

2. The cemetery name and location (city and country) where the veteran is at rest

3. A quote in writing (not to exceed $50 U.S.) from a local florist, for flowers to decorate each grave

4. A mailing address for Emblem Sales to send a flag for each grave to be decorated

5. A mailing address for the national treasurer to mail the requested funds for each grave to be decorated

6. Dec. 31 is the request cutoff unless there are funds remaining, in which case submissions received after the deadline may be considered.

7. Grants are awarded based on merit and availability of funds, as determined by the trustees.

8. Those who receive grants must provide the trustees a timely written after-action report (AAR). Receiving parties that do not provide an AAR will not be eligible for additional funds in succeeding years until the delinquent reports have been filed. AARs must also be sent to the national treasurer for filing and further distribution.

Email dhaggan@sbcglobal.net for more information about AARs.