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The commission

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The American Battle Monuments Commission, established by the Congress in 1923, is an agency of the executive branch of the federal government.

ABMC—guardian of America’s overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials—honors the service, achievements and sacrifice of U.S. Armed Forces.

ABMC’s commemorative mission includes:

  • Designing, constructing, operating and maintaining permanent American cemeteries in foreign countries.
  • Establishing and maintaining U.S. military memorials, monuments and markers where American armed forces have served overseas since April 6, 1917, and within the United States when directed by public law.
  • Controlling the design and construction of permanent U.S. military monuments and markers by other U.S. citizens and organizations, both public and private, and encouraging their maintenance.
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