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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will hold ceremonies at 16 locations nationwide this weekend to recognize 49 veterans of the American Revolutionary War, as the United States continues commemorations marking its 250th anniversary.

The events are scheduled for 10 a.m. local time on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at VA national cemeteries and VA-managed soldiers lots within private cemeteries. Fourteen states and D.C. host cemeteries that will be holding events.

Anniversary of a Historic Signing

The date was chosen to coincide with the 250th anniversary of August 2, 1776, when most delegates signed the Declaration of Independence. The document had been formally adopted by the Continental Congress nearly a month earlier, on July 4.

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The declaration stated that the 13 colonies no longer accepted British rule. It set out the principle that people have rights including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and argued that governments receive their authority from the people. It also detailed complaints against King George III.

"Service, sacrifice and patriotism are qualities displayed by our Veterans going back to the very founding of our nation," said VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Sam Brown.

"Two hundred and fifty years later, we remain inspired by those who first took up arms in defense of liberty, and who, like the signers of the Declaration of Independence, risked their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor to establish the United States of America."

The Revolutionary War

The Revolutionary War began in 1775, before independence was formally declared, and continued until 1783. The colonies challenged British policies involving taxation, representation and imperial authority.

France and other European powers later aided the American cause. Britain formally recognized the United States as an independent nation under the Treaty of Paris, which ended the war in 1783.

Full List of Cemeteries Hosting Memorial Events

• Congressional Cemetery Government Lots, District of Columbia
• Florida National Cemetery, Florida
• Marietta National Cemetery, Georgia
• Crown Hill National Cemetery, Indiana
• Baton Rouge National Cemetery, Louisiana
• Great Lakes National Cemetery, Michigan
• Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri
• Springfield National Cemetery, Missouri
• Beverly National Cemetery, New Jersey
• Bath National Cemetery, New York
• Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, New York
• Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Pennsylvania
• Mountain Home National Cemetery, Tennessee
• Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas
• West Virginia National Cemetery, West Virginia
• Fort Winnebago Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot, Wisconsin

Full List of Honored Veterans

Congressional Cemetery Government Lots, District of Columbia

• Joseph I. Anderson—U.S. Army, MAJ
• Theodorick Bland—U.S. Army, COL
• Thomas Blount—U.S. Army, MAJ GEN
• Nathan Bryan—U.S. Army, COL
• Hugh G. Campbell—U.S. Navy, CAPT
• Levi Casey—U.S. Army, BRIG GEN
• James Gillespie—U.S. Army, CAPT
• Peterson Goodwyn—U.S. Army, COL
• Thomas Hartley—U.S. Army, COL
• Daniel Hiester—U.S. Army, BRIG GEN
• Andrew Hunter—U.S. Army, CHAPLAIN
• James Jackson—U.S. Army, MAJ GEN
• John Linn—U.S. Army, SGT
• James Morrison—U.S. Army, COL
• John Smilie—U.S. Army, SGT
• Uriah Tracy—U.S. Army, MAJ GEN
• Thomas T. Tucker—U.S. Army, SURG
• David Walker—U.S. Army, PVT

Florida National Cemetery, Florida

• Benjamin Latimer—U.S. Army, PVT
• Benjamin Shirley—U.S. Army, SGT

Marietta National Cemetery, Georgia

• George Bradford—U.S. Army, PVT
• John Clark—U.S. Army, MAJ GEN
• John Hames, Sr.—U.S. Army, PVT

Crown Hill National Cemetery, Indiana

• John Morrow—U.S. Army, SGT

Baton Rouge National Cemetery, Louisiana

• Philemon Thomas—U.S. Army, GEN

Great Lakes National Cemetery, Michigan

• Joseph Van Etten—U.S. Army, PVT

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Missouri

• Russell Bissell—U.S. Army, MAJ
• Richard Gentry—U.S. Army, COL
• Thomas Hunt—U.S. Army, COL
• Samuel Kennerly—U.S. Army, PVT

Springfield National Cemetery, Missouri

• William Freeman—U.S. Army, PVT

Beverly National Cemetery, New Jersey

• Caleb Bruen—U.S. Army, CAPT

Bath National Cemetery, New York

• Timothy Lockwood, Jr.—U.S. Army, DRUMMER

Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, New York

• Aaron M. Austin—U.S. Army, LT COL
• Samuel Austin—U.S. Army, PVT
• Jesse B. Barker, Sr.—U.S. Army, PVT
• Oliver Barrett—U.S. Army, PVT
• Robert Callaghan—U.S. Army, PVT
• Serajah Comstock—U.S. Army, PVT
• Ezra Covell—U.S. Army, PVT
• Thomas Keeler—U.S. Army, PVT
• Ichabod Prentice—U.S. Army, 2ND LT
• Ebenezer Sinkler—U.S. Army, PVT
• Jonathan Smith—U.S. Army, PVT

Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, Pennsylvania

• Peter Krumbine—U.S. Army, PVT

Mountain Home National Cemetery, Tennessee

• Samuel Brashears—U.S. Army, CAPT

Fort Bliss National Cemetery, Texas

• Johann M. Ehler—U.S. Army, PVT

West Virginia National Cemetery, West Virginia

• Philip Pindall—U.S. Army, CAPT

Fort Winnebago Cemetery Soldiers’ Lot, Wisconsin

• Alexander Porter—U.S. Army, PVT

VA officials said the ceremonies are open to the public unless otherwise noted by individual cemeteries. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to allow time for parking and seating. Many locations will feature ceremonial wreath-laying, remarks from VA and community leaders, and military honors recognizing the Revolutionary War veterans interred at each site. Attendees should check with their local VA national cemetery for any location-specific guidance, weather updates, or schedule changes.

Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Matthew Robinson and James Debens

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