ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

United States National Cemetery System

Have you ever heard of a cemetery before? It's a special place where people who have passed away are buried and their families can come to visit them.

The United States National Cemetery System is a special kind of cemetery that is run by the government here in the United States. It was started a long time ago, during the Civil War, when many soldiers were losing their lives in battle.

The government wanted to make sure that these brave soldiers were buried in a special and respectful way, so they created the National Cemetery System. Today, there are more than 140 national cemeteries all across the country.

These cemeteries are different than regular cemeteries because they are reserved specifically for members of the military and their families. When someone who served in the military passes away, they have the option to be buried in one of these special cemeteries.

The National Cemetery System is very important because it helps to honor and remember the sacrifices that these men and women made for our country. There are special ceremonies and traditions that take place at these cemeteries, like the playing of Taps and the laying of wreaths, to show respect and gratitude for the service of the fallen soldiers.

So, in short, the United States National Cemetery System is a special kind of cemetery that is set aside for those who have served in the military and their families, to ensure that their memories and sacrifices are never forgotten.