Memorials Inventory Project (MIP) Final Report, January 2006

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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

VA assumed responsibility for national cemeteries, starting in 1973, through its National Cemetery System (now NCA). The MIP revealed a pronounced increase in the number of memorials installed since 1980; far fewer memorials were installed in national cemeteries when they were managed by the Army. An analysis of NCA memorials, by date of installation, is shown on the graph (below). If volunteers were unable to locate reliable records to confirm dates for memorials, the period of installation was estimated to the nearest decade, based on several factors.

The graph (below) shows the total number of memorials installed at national cemeteries and government-owned soldiers’ lots under the Army from 1842–1972, as compared to the memorials installed at national cemeteries and soldier’s lots by VA.

MIP also provided NCA with the opportunity to identify monuments that need repair and conservation. Several historic monuments were found to be in urgent need of repair and many more would benefit from some conservation treatment.

A major shift away from marble as a preferred monument-making material during the  19th century, to more durable granite in the 20th century, was evident from survey findings. Of 834 memorials, 682 were constructed with granite, 49 with marble, 74 of various types of stone, and the remainders were made of composite, other, or unknown materials.

As of January 15, 2006, the MIP volunteers inventoried a total of 1,010 memorial objects; however, after evaluation, 834 met the definition for a true monument or memorial. Of the other objects identified, 80 were classified as artillery, 38 as site features, 22 as plaques, 17 as signage, 11 as structures, 6 as private headstones, and 2 carillons were classed as equipment only.

Out of 2,974 individuals who contacted NCA about participating in the project, 372 were assigned as project volunteers and completed the work. The project also revealed that 25 national cemeteries and soldier’s lots under NCA’s jurisdiction contain no monuments or memorials.

The monuments contained in NCA’s cemeteries echo America’s evolution, its wars and its patriots. Virtually every war, every military branch, and every genre of soldier is commemorated. Spanning the years from the Revolutionary War period to the current War on Terrorism, the sacrifice of America’s armed forces is evident in its monuments—from the granite Union soldier posed at parade rest atop a high pedestal to lofty obelisks upon which the names of the dead are posted, to the straightforward veteran-service organization insignia.

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