Military
Funeral Honors
The Houston Veterans Administration Cemetery was dedicated Dec. 7, 1965. It was the only government cemetery constructed in the United States during the 1960s. The present-day Houston National Cemetery was the largest of its kind at the time of construction. Designed entirely by VA staff, it was also the only new VA cemetery not located on the grounds of a VA hospital. Prior to Houston’s opening, the last VA cemetery established was at Eagle Point VA Medical Center, Ore., in 1952. The largest VA cemeteries at the time were in Los Angeles at 114.47 acres, and Leavenworth, Kan., at 113.15 acres. At 419.2 acres, the Houston facility was slightly smaller than the 450 acres or so of Arlington National Cemetery, to which it was compared. Houston became a national cemetery in 1973 after the passage of the National Cemetery Act, when operations and management were transferred from the U.S. Army to the Veterans Administration. Monuments
and Memorials At the keystone, or
center, of the hemicycle are the chapel, carillon and speaker’s
stand. David Parsons, a professor of art at Rice University, sculpted
a 20’ x 6’ bas relief of three interlocking forms—a
fallen soldier supported by two comrades. The sculpture, made of crushed
quartz, was installed at the chapel entrance in 1965. The 75-foot tower,
305-bell, Schulmerich “Americana” carillon was dedicated May
30, 1970.
NOTABLE
BURIALS Staff Sergeant Marcario Garcia, (World War II), U.S. Army, Company B, 22nd Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Grosshau, Germany, Nov. 27, 1944 (Section H-A 1). Captain James H. Fields, (World War II), U.S. Army, 10th Armored Infantry, 4th Armored Division. Near Rechicourt, France, Sept. 27, 1944 (Section H-B 6). Other
Burials
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public. Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing. Artificial flowers and potted plants will be permitted on graves during periods when their presence will not interfere with grounds maintenance. As a general rule, artificial flowers and potted plants will be allowed on graves for a period extending 10 days before through 10 days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day. Christmas wreaths, grave blankets and other seasonal adornments may be placed on graves from Dec. 1 through Jan. 20. They may not be secured to headstones or markers. Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury. Permanent items removed
from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for one month
prior to disposal. Decorative items removed from graves remain the property
of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. If not retrieved
by the donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal
property.
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Last Update: September 24, 2004
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