The Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia, conducted its 20,000th interment this month, which coincided with the 20th anniversary of the cemetery’s dedication.
The 20,000th interment occurred on Nov. 4, with the cemetery’s dedication occurring 20 years to the day earlier.
“Virginia had the honor of interring its 20,000th individual on the 20th anniversary of the cemetery. What a momentous milestone,” said Michael Henshaw, director of Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “Our three veterans cemeteries provide a place of honor, dignity, respect, and remembrance —a final resting place for our veterans and eligible family members.”
The Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is one of three state veterans cemeteries in Virginia. The other two are the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia and Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin.
The process to construct a state veterans cemetery in Suffolk began in 1997 when retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Albert G. Horton Jr. began planning for his future and realized the need for a veterans cemetery in the Hampton Roads area. The closest national or state veterans cemetery that was open to new burials was 130 miles away in Amelia.
After countless hours of effort by Horton, the work of numerous veterans groups and the support of elected officials at the state and national level, the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk was established.
“The Commonwealth of Virginia was so fortunate to have an advocate like Al Horton to fight for Hampton Roads veterans and eligible family members to have a dignified final resting place close to home,” said Chuck Zingler, commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “Every man and woman who fought for this country deserves the very best even after they have left this life. Thankfully, Mr. Horton decided to begin that fight 27 years ago so that over 20,000 individuals to follow could be laid to rest in Suffolk.”
The Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is the 10th state veterans cemetery to surpass the 20,000-interment milestone. It is currently ranked the third busiest state veterans cemetery in the nation.
The Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery currently averages nine interments a day with that number rising each year.
All interments are free for veterans, military service members, members of the Guard and Reserve and their eligible family members at Virginia’s state veterans cemeteries. Virginia’s cemeteries accommodate in-ground burial of casketed remains, in-ground inurnment of cremated remains and above-ground inurnment of cremated remains in a columbarium.
For more information on any of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services cemeteries, please click here or call 855-482-8387.