On Monday, November 11, 2013, Calverton National Cemetery provides the opportunity to remember our veterans, memorialize the fallen and give pause and thanks for the sacrifices that our troops have made in their efforts to preserve our nation’s security and freedom.
Located on Route 25 in between Wading River and Riverhead, the sprawling cemetery spans over 1,000 acres and is the largest national cemetery within the United States. There are two other national cemeteries to have serviced the greater New York area. Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn was established in 1862, followed by Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale in 1936. By the mid-seventies, burial capacity was soon to be full in the Long Island National Cemetery, and, with three million veterans and their dependents residing in the New York area, plans were drawn up to establish a third national cemetery. The Veterans Administration acquired 902 acres of land from the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Calverton, and the Calverton National Cemetery was constructed in 1978.
It is the most active national cemetery, accommodating approximately 7,000 burials annually. The cemetery was designed with a structure that can enable multiple burial services to be held simultaneously. Older grave markers were laid flat in the grassy green expanse. Today, graves are topped with the more familiar upright white marble tombstones. As you drive into the cemetery, you will be navigating through a memorial path that is lined with flags and over 20 memorials that commemorate our courageous soldiers.
Memorial ceremony services are held on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. The ceremony features a marching band, a blessing, speeches by dignitaries and then surviving veterans of wars past parade in full uniform. Veterans Day serves to remind us all to show our gratitude by honoring those who served in every branch of military service through World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. As of 2011, there are no more survivors from the first World War. However, you may see veterans from every war that followed as they proudly make their way down the ceremonial aisle. This is their day.
The Veterans Day ceremony begins at 1:00pm. Once the ceremony disperses, most visitors take the opportunity to visit the graves of loved ones interred, and to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices that they made to preserve our way of life and pave the way for the freedoms of future generations.
To all of the proud veterans of the past and present, we humbly express our thanks as we remember and honor your sacrifices and your triumphs.
Located on Route 25 in between Wading River and Riverhead, the sprawling cemetery spans over 1,000 acres and is the largest national cemetery within the United States. There are two other national cemeteries to have serviced the greater New York area. Cypress Hills National Cemetery in Brooklyn was established in 1862, followed by Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale in 1936. By the mid-seventies, burial capacity was soon to be full in the Long Island National Cemetery, and, with three million veterans and their dependents residing in the New York area, plans were drawn up to establish a third national cemetery. The Veterans Administration acquired 902 acres of land from the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant in Calverton, and the Calverton National Cemetery was constructed in 1978.
It is the most active national cemetery, accommodating approximately 7,000 burials annually. The cemetery was designed with a structure that can enable multiple burial services to be held simultaneously. Older grave markers were laid flat in the grassy green expanse. Today, graves are topped with the more familiar upright white marble tombstones. As you drive into the cemetery, you will be navigating through a memorial path that is lined with flags and over 20 memorials that commemorate our courageous soldiers.
Memorial ceremony services are held on Memorial Day and Veterans Day each year. The ceremony features a marching band, a blessing, speeches by dignitaries and then surviving veterans of wars past parade in full uniform. Veterans Day serves to remind us all to show our gratitude by honoring those who served in every branch of military service through World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam and Iraq. As of 2011, there are no more survivors from the first World War. However, you may see veterans from every war that followed as they proudly make their way down the ceremonial aisle. This is their day.
The Veterans Day ceremony begins at 1:00pm. Once the ceremony disperses, most visitors take the opportunity to visit the graves of loved ones interred, and to reflect on the contributions and sacrifices that they made to preserve our way of life and pave the way for the freedoms of future generations.
To all of the proud veterans of the past and present, we humbly express our thanks as we remember and honor your sacrifices and your triumphs.