Choosing what goes on a veteran’s headstone is one of the most personal decisions a family makes. It’s not just about filling in a name and dates — it’s about capturing who this person was, what they stood for, and what they gave.
There’s no single right answer. But there are some things worth thinking through before you sit down with a monument company.
Start with the Branch and Service Details
Most military headstones lead with the basics: full name, branch of service, rank, and dates. These are the foundation. For government-issued markers, the VA has specific guidelines about what information appears and where. For privately purchased monuments, you have more flexibility — but most families still lead with these elements because they ground everything else.
If your loved one served in multiple branches or conflicts, think about which service defined them most. You don’t have to include everything — a clean, readable stone often means more than a crowded one.
Choosing an Inscription or Epitaph
This is where most families spend the most time — and where it’s worth slowing down. The best inscriptions tend to be short, specific, and honest. Generic phrases like “Beloved Father” are fine but forgettable. Something that actually captures the person — a favorite saying, a value they lived by, a line from scripture they returned to — stays with visitors.
A few approaches that tend to work well:
A line from their branch’s creed or motto, if it genuinely resonated with them
A short scripture or prayer if faith was central to their life
Something they actually said — not a polished quote, but a real phrase their family remembers
Simply their name, rank, and dates — sometimes restraint is the most powerful choice
If you’re stuck, ask the family: what would he have said about this? What did she always tell her kids? Those answers usually point somewhere real.
Military Symbols and What They Mean
Symbols do a lot of work on a headstone — they communicate rank, branch, faith, and identity without taking up text space. Common military symbols include:
Branch emblems — the eagle and anchor for Navy, globe and anchor for Marines, crossed rifles for infantry, aviator wings for Air Force and Army pilots
Service ribbons and medals incorporated into custom designs
Religious emblems — the cross, Star of David, crescent, and others — standard on VA markers and available on private monuments
The American flag — one of the most requested elements, either as a carved design or etched portrait
Photo Engraving
Laser portrait etching has become increasingly common and the quality has improved significantly. A good photo engraving captures a real likeness — in uniform, at ease, however the family wants to remember them.
For portrait etching to work well, you need a high-contrast, high-resolution photo with a clear view of the face. Black granite shows portrait etchings most clearly. If you’re considering this, bring us the best photo you have and we’ll tell you honestly whether it will engrave well.
Balancing Tradition and Personalization
Military headstones carry a weight of tradition — and that’s not something to discard lightly. But tradition and personalization aren’t in conflict. A stone can honor military service formally while still reflecting the individual who served.
The families we work with most often land somewhere in the middle — standard service information up top, a personal inscription below, and one meaningful symbol that ties it together. Simple, clear, and unmistakably theirs.
At Legacy Stonework & Monument we work with veterans’ families across the Wichita area and are familiar with both VA marker requirements and private monument options. If you’re not sure where to start, call us at 316-670-6350. We’ll ask you a few questions about your loved one and help you find a direction that feels right.
CALL TO ACTION
Honoring a veteran’s service starts with a conversation. Contact Legacy Stonework & Monument at 316-670-6350 — we’ll help you find an engraving and design that does justice to their service and their story.