Should more national cemeteries like Arlington National Cemetery be built and opened?

2016-01-02T09:54:15-05:00

With space becoming very limited and making it very hard for Veterans, Service Members, Retirees, and special organizations that were created during times of war such as the WASPs or the WACs and with changes to the burial policies all of the time such as Secretary of the Army John McHugh's change in policy to make the WASPs ineligible after they had been since 1977
Should the DOD open more national cemeteries like Arlington National Cemetery to alleviate problems of getting into one due to limited space.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 2 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-01-02T10:05:00-05:00

Without looking at the current spacing issues, and demand it is hard to say.

There are numerous National Cemeteries, including one less than 10 miles from me (Quantico National Cemetery), and the one my father is resting at San Antonio National Cemetery.

Unfortunately the "Prestige" of Arlington has created the impression that it is the only one in many peoples minds.

Response by SP5 Mark Kuzinski made Jan 2 at 2016 11:14 AM

2016-01-02T11:14:54-05:00

Here is a link to the National Cemeteries in the US:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cems/listcem.asp

Department of Veterans Affairs Cemetery Listing - National Cemetery Administration

The VA National Cemetery Administration honors the military service of our Nation's veterans. We provide a dignified burial and lasting memorial for veterans and their eligible family members and we maintain our veterans' cemeteries as national shrines.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Jan 2 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-01-02T11:22:42-05:00

We have a small cemetery in Bonners Ferry. I was surprised how many Vets have been placed here when I helped place flags prior to Memorial Day. The count was over 920 and dating back to the Spanish American War. So many Vets are not in National Cemeteries because many families keep near to home and their ancestors already there. I haven't seen anything about an overall space issue in the system, just at Arlington. If you've seen some of the other cemeteries like Mt. Tahoma, the setting is beautiful.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 2 at 2016 11:32 AM

2016-01-02T11:32:14-05:00

We're trying to build a new one on the grounds of the former El Toro Marine Corps Air Station but Chinese immigrants are attempting to block it. It is reported that they are fearful that its presence will undermine the value of the homes they have bought in nearby Irvine, California as investments. They cite the deleterious affects of poor Feng Sui as the issue, but that seems hardly defensible. The new cemetery has been authorized and we are now seeking funding.
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/cemetery-664876-park-veterans.html

Also check out http://www.orangejuiceblog.com/2015/06/veterans-turned-away-from-attending-open-meeting-about-veterans-cemetery-based-on-race/

Cemetery culture clash in Irvine: Asian neighbors say graves would create bad feng shui, hurt...

IRVINE – In less than a decade, runways where fighter jets once lofted Marines into the air could become acres of green grass dotted with white headstones marking the Southern California Veterans Cemetery.That image, for many veterans and their families, provides comfort.But for a group of Asian residents that live near Irvine’s Great Park, the image is appalling – any cemetery would violate a strong cultural taboo of living near the dead.Now,...

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jan 2 at 2016 12:26 PM

2016-01-02T12:26:45-05:00

I don't have the exact numbers but I know there are several National Cemeteries in and around Tennessee. There is one at the VA in Johnson City for sure. I think Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS has a great thought of Arlington having so much prestige no one even considers the others. As for me, I just want a headstone depicting my service and to be buried in the family plot next to my loved ones.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jan 2 at 2016 1:26 PM

2016-01-02T13:26:15-05:00

Some of those casket weigh a lot.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 2:19 PM

2016-01-02T14:19:09-05:00

Without speaking directly to the question, I am personally torn about where I want to be interred when the day arrives. Do I want to rest with my brothers, in a place where I have seen them lowered and saluted them for a final time myself, or closer to home where my loved ones can come and reflect?
Arlington has a mystique about it that no other national cemetery has. There are others with plenty of history - West Point, Valley Forge, and the National Cemetery of the Pacific (Hawaii) come to mind.

Someday the issue will be forced, when space at Arlington inevitably runs out.

Response by PFC Pamala (Hall) Foster made Jan 2 at 2016 2:52 PM

2016-01-02T14:52:55-05:00

YES

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 2 at 2016 3:28 PM

2016-01-02T15:28:39-05:00

I want to be buried in a National Cemetery, I just don't know which one.

Response by SP5 Joel O'Brien made Jan 2 at 2016 8:54 PM

2016-01-02T20:54:07-05:00

While burial in a National cemetery carries notable distinction, why couldn't consideration be given to a state veteran's cemetery? Hoping I'm not drifting too far off-topic, I believe this is an option that should not be overlooked.
Here in Vermont, where I live, the State Veteran's Cemetery is in the process of expanding. It's beautiful, and with a central location are no doubt only two of many reasons that vets and their families choose this location.
Consider this information on the subject...From this website: http://www.cem.va.gov/grants/veterans_cemeteries.asp , these words of information on this subject...
"Many states have established state veterans cemeteries. Eligibility is similar to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries, but may include residency requirements. Even though they may have been established or improved with Government funds through VA's Veterans Cemetery Grants Program, state veterans cemeteries are run solely by the states."

Veterans Cemeteries - States, Territories, and Tribal Governments - National Cemetery...

Response by PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr made Jan 3 at 2016 11:54 PM

2016-01-03T23:54:40-05:00

i'm kinda of torn i want to be near family yet i also would like to be with my brother's and sister's in arms. although my parents are in a family plot with no more room. so being next to them is impossible there is room in the cemetery but far from them.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:13 AM

2016-01-04T11:13:32-05:00

Oh most definitely. Arlington is getting very very crowded, for this reason alone more like it should be opened. More and more vets are dying each year and they deserve a special place just like Arlington to be buried in.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 4 at 2016 11:06 PM

2016-01-04T23:06:49-05:00

Wrap me in a rug and bury me in a land fill for all i care. I told my loved ones to do whatever is cheapest or whatever makes them feel better. When i die i am gone, what remains is of no more value to me than anything else on this earth. The funerals and honors are for the living.

Response by SPC Ryan Desmond made Jan 6 at 2016 8:03 AM

2016-01-06T08:03:36-05:00

YES!

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Jan 7 at 2016 1:48 AM

2016-01-07T01:48:30-05:00

Until the day when we can do away with Armies---we'll need ground to bury our veterans.