The Virginia Department of Veterans Services announced that the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia conducted its 20,000 interment on November 4, 2024, which coincided with 20th anniversary of the cemetery’s dedication on November 4, 2004.
The Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is one of three state veterans cemeteries in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The process to construct a state veterans cemetery began in 1997 when Retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Albert G. Horton, Jr. began planning for his future and quickly 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 by Mr. Horton, the efforts of hundreds of people, the work of numerous veterans groups, and support of elected officials at the state and national level, the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk was established, named in honor of the man who had worked so tirelessly on behalf of his fellow veterans.
“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.
“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 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 visit https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/veteran-cemeteries or call 855-4VA-VETS (855-482-8387).
About the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS)
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) is a state government agency with more than 50 locations across the Commonwealth of Virginia. DVS traces its history to 1928 and the establishment of the Virginia War Service Bureau to assist Virginia’s World War I veterans. Today, DVS assists veterans and their families in filing claims for federal veterans benefits; provides veterans and family members with linkages to services including behavioral health, housing, employment, education, and other programs. The agency operates long-term care facilities offering in-patient skilled nursing care, dementia/memory care, and short-term rehabilitation for veterans; and provides an honored final resting place for veterans and their families at three state veterans cemeteries. It operates the Virginia War Memorial, the Commonwealth’s tribute to Virginia’s men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice from World War II to the present. For more information, please visit www.dvs.virginia.gov.
About Virginia’s State Veterans Cemeteries
The Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS) operates state veterans cemeteries in Amelia, Dublin, and Suffolk, which provide a final resting place for Veterans, National Guard Members, Reservists, Military Service members who died while serving on active duty, and their eligible family members. The Virginia Veterans Cemetery is located in Amelia, the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, and the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk. All cemeteries accommodate in-ground burial of casketed remains, in-ground inurnment of cremated remains, and above-ground inurnment of cremated remains in a columbarium niche. For more information, please visit https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/veteran-cemeteries.
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