SAN ANTONIO, TX – July 27, 2026 – As Americans continue commemorating our nation’s 250thanniversary, The National Military Monument will open to the public on July 28, offering a one-of-a-kind tribute honoring more than 41 million Americans who have answered the call to serve across 250 years of our nation’s history. Located on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., the monument invites visitors to reflect on the generations of Americans whose courage, sacrifice and commitment has shaped our country and safeguarded the freedoms we enjoy today.
Drawing from military and public records dating back to the Revolutionary War, the monument honors generations of Americans who answered the call to serve. Because no single historical record captures every individual who has served, the names displayed have been assembled from multiple trusted sources, such as National Public Records (Virginia Beneficiary Identification and Records Locator Subsystem, National Parks Service, WWII Army Enlistment, Multiple POW Lists), Veteran Service Organizations and USAA Members who opted in.
“This monument is ultimately about people,” said Juan C. Andrade, President and CEO of USAA. “Every name represents someone who stepped away from family and chose something greater than themselves. Their service has protected the freedoms we enjoy today and shaped the nation we call home. We hope every person who walks through The National Military Monument leaves thinking about someone they know who served, reflecting on their sacrifice and carrying forward a deeper sense of gratitude.”
This monument brings tradition and technology together, its towering double-sided flags blend classic monument design with cutting-edge digital screens that illuminate the names of generations of military servicemembers. As visitors walk alongside the monument, the flags appear to gently wave in the wind, creating a powerful reminder that behind every stripe is a person, a family and a story of service.
Throughout the installation, interactive kiosks invite visitors to search for parents, grandparents, siblings, friends and loved ones who have served. For many, the experience will transform from simply viewing a monument into discovering a personal connection to America’s military story.
Beginning July 28, visitors can also search online, confirm loved ones are included and submit names that are not yet represented, allowing this living tribute to continue growing over time. Due to privacy protections and the availability of public records, some currently serving military members and veterans may not yet appear.
The National Military Monument opens to the public at 10:00 a.m. ET on Tuesday, July 28, and admission is free. Visitors can learn more, search for names and submit additional records by visiting USAA.com/Monument250.
More than a monument, this installation stands as a national expression of gratitude and respect for the millions of Americans whose service has defined our country’s first 250 years and continues to safeguard its future.
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