The Newest National Cemetery | San Diego's Miramar National Cemetery
Memorial Day 2011
This enormous parcel of land as the nations newest national cemetery opened this past March and they interred the newest causalities of the Afghanistan War.
Adjacent to the Miramar Naval Air Station, this cemetery has daily fly overs of jets and helicopters but todays flyover was several vintage planes.
The first soldier that was casket buried here at Miramar National Cemetery is John Smith III and he has a wreath placed in front of the only marker in this section of the cemetery. The other section with the 3 rows of markers as shown in the photo is for urn burials and the lot sizes are smaller.
It will take at least another 18 months to finish all the hardscape and install the many grave markers that will be aligned in perfect unison. The Columbiums are near finished for urn internment. The grounds will transform over the many months ahead and will be quite stunning when the landscaping and trees are added.
Even though this cemetery is still a work in process, I spoke with a number of family members today with sons that were interred this past week and it was a moving moment.
On this 1st Memorial Day at our nations newest national cemetery, today was about honor, country,sacrifice and to remember and honor those who gave all.