Newest national cemetery opens in west of Lake Worth (living, military)

[sunrico90]

In a series of brief but solemn ceremonies, the remains of 28 military veterans were interred in the nation's newest national cemetery here Monday, the first of hundreds of such burials of men and women who shared a common bond of service.

Veterans Affairs opened the South Florida VA National Cemetery as part of its largest cemetery expansion since the Civil War. The VA operates 125 cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico.

The first 50-acre section of the cemetery opened Monday has room for about 10,000 in-ground and cremated remains. A columbarium, for aboveground remains, may not be completed for five years.

When completed, the cemetery will provide space for 115,000 veterans and their spouses, enough to meet the needs of South Florida for the next 30 to 40 years

Families wishing to place deceased relatives in the cemetery should call 800-535-1117. Living veterans cannot reserve gravesites or columbarium niches in advance. Arrangements are made after death by funeral directors.