On Thursday, September 17, 2026, the cremated remains of unclaimed military Veterans will be laid to rest with full military honors during the annual Forgotten Heroes Burial Ceremony.
The memorial service will begin at 9 a.m. at Legacy Church, 4701 Wyoming Blvd. NE in Albuquerque. Following the service, law enforcement agencies, Veterans service organizations, and the New Mexico American Legion Riders will escort the urns to Santa Fe National Cemetery, 501 N. Guadalupe St. in Santa Fe, where the burial ceremony will begin at 11 a.m.
The Forgotten Heroes Funeral Program is a partnership between the New Mexico Department of Veterans’ Services, Bernalillo County, the New Mexico National Guard, Albuquerque Police Department, Santa Fe Police Department, Bernalillo County Sheriff’s and Fire Departments, Director’s Choice Funeral Home, and Santa Fe National Cemetery. The program ensures that honorably discharged veterans who pass away without family to claim them receive a proper burial with the dignity and respect they deserve.
The public is invited to attend and serve as “family,” providing a final salute for these fallen Veterans who have served our country. This event demonstrates that respect for military service has no expiration date.