Summer is here, and while theme parks and roadside attractions promise excitement, there’s one unexpected stop that might leave the most profound impact: a national cemetery.
Many military families are planning their PCS travels, summer visits to their hometowns, and bucket-list stops, but what if your most meaningful stop this summer isn’t on a thrill ride or waterfront escape? What if it is somewhere quieter and more peaceful?
A visit to a national cemetery is not only a wonderful and solemn way to pay your respects, but it is also a remarkable way to learn and enjoy a beautiful place.
As a veteran and military spouse, I understand the importance of pausing to express gratitude for someone else’s sacrifice, and I truly don’t take it lightly. This is exactly how I now get to write this, because in our own travels as a family, we have chosen to stop at many national cemeteries to be there when it seems to be extra quiet.
So, what if during your summer travels you include these resting places to reflect on the ones that made your freedom to travel possible?
Honor the Fallen
Physically visiting a national cemetery in person can help you connect with sacrifice. Headstones stretching across lawns while flags wave in the wind give you time to reflect and learn to pause in the middle of a busy summer. Each headstone represents a life of service as well as someone left behind to continue a legacy. There are over 150 national cemeteries in the United States, each of which uniquely preserves that sacrifice and history.
From the iconic and historic grounds at Arlington National Cemetery to the beautiful grounds of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (which rests on Punchbowl Crater on O’ahu) to the picturesque view from the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery overlooking San Diego Bay and the Pacific Ocean. These places are sacred spaces, where honor and the beautiful grounds come together in remembrance.
You can honor the fallen through your travels by learning the story, visiting these spaces, reading their names, and leaving coins or flowers behind.
Teach, Reflect, and Connect with Military History
Reflecting on the power of legacy is not only for those who have lost a service member, but also for the families who can visit these resting places to create time for important conversations with younger generations.
Families can make the most of these visits, allowing their children of all ages to learn about the ultimate sacrifice, talk about the history of wars, the different service eras, and why remembering matters. These sites are not only perfect for families to learn and find connection, but also for history buffs to discover the preserved stories and appreciate the extensive visitor centers and historic sections. You can also learn about the local history where the cemetery is located, including battles in the region.
A visit to a national cemetery during your summer road trip provides everyone with the opportunity to learn about a timeline of events in American military service, spanning major conflicts and eras of combat and non-combat. These sacred places are part of who we are as a country and how we can remember and learn from the service and sacrifice of those who served our military.
Scenic Beauty
National cemeteries can be found in some of the most beautiful spots in the country. Along the coast, overlooking the ocean, surrounded by rolling hills, showcasing mountain backdrops… these sacred places are hidden sanctuaries with panoramic views. These road trip stops can offer breathtaking vistas in a quiet, solemn way that beats the summer crowds and rushing of the PCS season.
For example, the Chattanooga National Cemetery, located in Tennessee, offers stunning views of rolling green hills and Lookout Mountain. The landscape is also steeped in Civil War history, enticing visitors to learn more about the country’s past.
If you love the tranquility of the desert climate, visiting the Bakersfield National Cemetery will reveal its beauty while nestled in the foothills of the Tehachapi Mountains. The white headstones rest in an area with wide-open stretches of land, with native flora that offers a quiet and beautiful setting.
From the desert to a semi-rural mountain landscape, you can visit the Tahoma National Cemetery in Washington. This resting place offers beautiful views of Mt. Rainier, spanning over 158 acres with a lush and evergreen forest setting.
These places offer calm and stillness, surrounded by landscapes that provide a natural setting without distraction.
We know the summer season is filled with busy roads, beachside crowds, loud amusement parks, and chaotic PCS moves. We know finding peace in the chaos can be difficult ,but our national cemeteries offer just that, a rare break from all of that. A restful stop on hallowed ground that shares American history with stunning views, allowing us to honor and remember.
These shouldn’t just be detours; they can be summer destinations. Destinations that offer reflection and can become memorable experiences. Whether you’re a military family, a history buff, or simply someone looking for meaningful moments in your travels, a stop at a national cemetery will stay with you long after the trip ends.
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