Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, R-Hicksville, speaks during a news conference in May in Albany. Blumencranz is proposing adding a veterans remembrance civic engagement graduation requirement for New York high school students.

As New York works toward competency-based graduation standards, a state Assembly member is proposing adding a veterans remembrance civic engagement requirement as well.

Assemblyman Jake Blumencranz, R-Hicksville, introduced legislation (A.11601) before the end of the state legislative session that would require every state public high school graduate participate in a “meaningful act of remembrance” honoring those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces.

“The freedoms enjoyed by every New Yorker were secured through the sacrifice of generations of American service members. Yet many young people graduate from high school without ever visiting a veterans cemetery, learning the story of a local veteran, or participating in an act of remembrance honoring those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation,” Blumencranz wrote. “Across Europe, communities liberated by American soldiers during World

War I and World War II continue to demonstrate an extraordinary commitment to preserving the memory of fallen Americans. In places such as France, Belgium, and The Netherlands, schoolchildren and families voluntarily care for the graves of American service members decades after the wars ended. The Never Forgotten Act seeks to bring that same spirit of gratitude and civic responsibility home to New York.”

One such cemetery adoption tradition is found in the 65.5 acre Netherlands American Cemetery, located on a hill just outside the village of Margraten in the Netherlands. There are 8,288 Americans buried there, and people who adopt a grave visit it regularly and leave flowers on the fallen soldier’s birthday, the day they died, at Christmas, on Memorial Day or whenever else they see fit. Some reach out to families of the dead in the U.S., forming lasting transatlantic friendships, according to a 2024 Associated Press story commemorating the 80th anniversary of the start of the liberation of the Netherlands.

Students could satisfy Blumencranz’ proposed Never Forgotten Act by caring for, cleaning, beautifying or maintaining a veteran’s gravesite; placing flags, flowers, wreaths or commemorative markers at veterans’ gravesites; participating in organized cemetery stewardship programs; researching and presenting the life story of a deceased veteran; or participating in memorial restoration projects and veterans remembrance ceremonies.

The bill also requires an educational component relating to military service, civic duty, citizenship and respectful treatment of veterans’ memorials and burial sites. Blumencranz would encourage school districts to partner with veterans organizations, cemetery associations, and government agencies to facilitate participation. Accommodations and alternative projects are provided for students with disabilities or documented hardships. No student would be required to incur a personal expense to satisfy the requirement. School districts would also be able to exceed the Never Forgotten Act’s minimum requirements.

“This legislation recognizes that remembrance is not merely an annual observance-it is a civic responsibility. By requiring students to participate in a meaningful act honoring a deceased veteran, the bill strengthens civic education, promotes historical literacy, fosters patriotism, and helps preserve the legacy of those who defended our

Freedoms,” Blumencranz wrote in his legislative justification. “At a time when civic engagement and historical understanding are increasingly important, New York has an opportunity to teach gratitude through action and ensure that future generations understand the cost of freedom. Before earning a diploma, every student should honor someone who never made it home.”