United States Department of Veterans Affairs

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National Cemeteries Observe Memorial Day

VA National Cemeteries Observe Memorial Day 2011

Find a Memorial Day Ceremony near you.

 

First casket buried at Miramar National Cemetery

First Casket Buried at Miramar National Cemetery

John Alfred Smith became the first military Veteran to receive a casket burial at Miramar National Cemetery in San Diego on April 14, 2011. With the first casket interment at the new national cemetery, casket and cremation burial alternatives are now available to approximately 235,000 Veterans in San Diego County for the first time in 45 years.

"VA is very pleased to once again be able to provide the full range of burial benefits to the Veterans of greater San Diego," said Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Steve Muro. "These are benefits that our Veterans in the Golden State have earned."

Smith served as a combat medic with the 1st Air Cavalry Division in Vietnam, 1968-1969. He was wounded in action three times and spent several years recovering from his wounds. He was medically retired as a disabled Veteran at the rank of Specialist 5 in 1972.

Read more at: NCA Press Room

 

Barrancas National Cemetery hosts caretaker training pilot

Barrancas National Cemetery Hosts Caretaker Training Pilot

Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla., welcomed students and trainers for the pilot of NCA's Caretaker Training program during the week of March 21-25. Cemetery staff hosted a special ceremony for the guests March 24, during which they also dedicated a new burial section at the cemetery. Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Steve Muro, along with special guests Capt. Christopher Plummer, commanding officer of Naval Air Station Pensacola, and Col. Joseph Richards, commanding officer of Marine Aviation Training Support Group, were on hand to welcome the caretakers and to cut a ribbon during the ceremony.

 

President Obama Lays a Wreath at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery

The VA medallion is a new memorial benefit available to Veterans buried in private cemeteries. The medallion is in lieu of a traditional government headstone or marker. Designed to be attached to a private headstone or marker the medallion signifies the special status the deceased has as a Veteran of our armed forces. http://www.cem.va.gov/pdf/medallion.pdf

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