January 6, 2026
Stones River National Battlefield and Stones River National Cemetery are launching a new public history initiative to honor the men and women who served the United States and are buried in the national cemetery. The initiative, titled “Stories of Service and Sacrifice,” marks the approach of the 250th anniversary of the United States and will feature 250 individual stories of veterans interred at Stones River National Cemetery.
Stones River was the site of one of the bloodiest battles in the Civil War. The battle lasted three days and produced important military and political gains for the Union.
Beginning in January, the park will publish veteran profiles on the National Park Service website and share one story each day on social media, highlighting service members from conflicts spanning more than 160 years of American history. Together, the stories will illustrate the connection between national cemeteries, military service, family history, and a shared national story.
“National cemeteries are more than places of remembrance, they are repositories of our nation’s history,” said Ben Hayes, superintendent of Stones River National Battlefield. “Each headstone marks a life of service and a personal story that connects families, communities, and generations. By sharing these stories, we honor those who served and invite the public to see themselves in America’s ongoing story.”
The park is also inviting families, descendants, and community members with loved ones buried in Stones River National Cemetery to participate. The public is encouraged to share photographs, letters, documents, and personal memories to help tell these stories, update and add to park records, and preserve them for future generations.