Funds are for graves inside and outside ABMC cemeteries.
The American Legion Overseas Graves Decoration Trust Fund, established in the 1920s, provides U.S. flags – from Emblem Sales, made in the United States – 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 “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. Departments and posts outside the continental United States may also request funds to decorate individual graves of veterans laid to rest outside an American Battle Monuments Commission-controlled facility.
The request period for 2025 opened Nov. 1. Requests should be sent to the American Legion national treasurer at financedivision@legion.org and CC’d to fund liaison Doug Haggan at 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
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) within 60 days of utilizing the funds. 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 at financedivision@legion.org for filing and further distribution. Email dhaggan@sbcglobal.net for more information about AARs.
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