A Grave Adoption Program for All Fallen Americans

On August 27, 2025, Monuments Men and Women Foundation founder and chairman Robert M. Edsel spoke on the main stage at the American Legion National Convention before 7,000 veterans and countless others watching remotely. He shared his research into why the people of the Netherlands created the remarkable tradition of adopting the graves of fallen Americans, and asked a powerful question:

Why don’t we have a similar grave adoption program in America for our own fallen of all wars?

Photos by Jennifer Blohm/The American Legion 

The Dutch program was not born of duty, but of love, gratitude, and countless individual acts of kindness woven into one shared promise: to remember. Now it is our turn to bring that example closer to Monuments Men and Women Foundation  wants to expand the Forever Promise Project, launched last spring, and build an army of young adopters to honor American servicemembers buried in the United States—to preserve their stories, and to inspire new generations with their legacy of sacrifice and service.

“Together, we can fill the void left by the passing of those who once taught us—parents, grandparents, veterans, schools—and pass forward their lessons of empathy, resilience, and shared sacrifice,” said Mr. Edsel.