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1st Of 6 New National Cemeteries In Works

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By SUSANNE M. SCHAFER, The Associated Press

Published: November 11, 2007

FORT JACKSON, S.C. - Retired soldier George Goldsmith is so fond of the 600 acres of twisted underbrush and towering pines on this Army training base, he plans to stay here for eternity.

When Goldsmith, 68, is laid to rest at the national veterans' cemetery at Fort Jackson, however, the weeds and much of the forest probably will be gone.

Goldsmith is one of many military veterans eager to see the cemetery open here by next year. He wore an Army uniform for nearly 40 years, and now he's helping local, state and federal officials develop the cemetery site into a serene, resting place for veterans.

"It is going to be a setting that is very appealing, a place that is going to be very comfortable," said the retired two-star general, predicting it will be transformed into hallowed ground where people may "have some personal time with God."

The site will be the first of six national cemeteries to open across the country under legislation signed by President Bush in 2003.

Under organizers' sped-up timeline, a 10-acre portion of the cemetery will be ready for casket burials by the end of 2008 - even as other portions are under construction.

"I think that when we finish, we are going to have something that we are proud of and the veterans deserve that," said Goldsmith, who served in the Army Reserves and also heads the Chamber of Commerce's military affairs committee in Columbia, which is located just five miles from Fort Jackson.

The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates about 977 World War II veterans are dying daily and pressure has been building to provide burial sites, says Bruce Burko of the National Cemetery Administration.

"Our number one priority is to open up the Fort Jackson cemetery as fast as possible," Burko said.

During a visit to the site, Burko explained that most veterans' cemeteries are built start-to-finish over four to five years, with burials taking place only after the entire site is completed.

Under the Fort Jackson plan, an initial 10-acre portion of the site "will be wrapped in, and it won't even be noticeable that one part was started earlier than the rest," Burko said.

Sweeping his arm across the horizon, Burko predicted an imposing entryway will lead to a park-like setting of wide grassy spaces, in time filled with the traditional small marble headstones.

Given the Colonial-era history of South Carolina and its conservative, red brick architecture, the formal entry buildings and other administrative buildings probably will take on a similar style, Burko said.

The other national cemeteries are planned for Sarasota and Jacksonville; Birmingham, Ala.; Philadelphia; and Bakersfield, Calif., Burko said.

Most of Fort Jackson's sprawling 53,000 acres is used for basic training, firing ranges and military schools. The cemetery will be fenced and visitors won't be able to get onto the training areas, Burko said. A benefit for visitors is nearby Interstates 26 and 77, allowing easy access.

Scott Nahrwold, Fort Jackson's top civilian in charge of the day-to-day operations at the Army's largest training base, said he is one of many officials getting at least a phone call a week from curious veterans.

Nahrwold said he was touched by one veteran, who called and said his wife had died and his own health was failing.

"He wanted to make sure his wife could be buried, but then re-interred" when he passes away, so at some point they could share a grave at the site, Nahrwold said.

While private cemetery space may be purchased in advanced, it is not possible to reserve a grave site at a national cemetery. Graves are accorded to eligible veterans and their dependents on an "as-needed" basis, Burko said.

Two national cemeteries already located in South Carolina are filling rapidly. A new state veterans' cemetery is expected to be open within several months - but it is only 65 acres.

The site on Fort Jackson will be almost 10 times that size - complete with shelters for internment ceremonies, administration and visitors' buildings, an area for assembling funeral corteges.

The cemetery will be built in 10-year stages, with a potential for about 5,000 burials each year. It is being planned to accept burials for 300 years.
NATIONAL CEMETERIES
•There are 125 national cemeteries.

•The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that there are 9.1 million veterans over age 65. The number of World War II vets dying daily is estimated at 977.

•National cemetery directors have the primary responsibility for verifying eligibility for burial in VA national cemeteries. A determination of eligibility is usually made in response to a request for burial.

•Veterans and members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard - as well as any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies in active duty - are eligible. Other people with certain types of national service, spouses and children may be eligible under certain circumstances.

Fort Jackson's Cemetery

A formal name for the Fort Jackson cemetery site has not been chosen.

To confirm veterans' eligibility for burial, calls should be made to a Veterans Benefits Counselor at: 1-800-827-1000.

Information is also on the Department Veterans Affairs Web site at www.cem.va.gov.

The Associated Press

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