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New National Cemetery Accepts Its First Honored Dead

Sarasota Herald-Tribune photo by E. SKYLAR LITHERLAND

Ensign Bill Salter of the Tampa Military Funeral Honor Guard presents flags to family members who were the first to inter loved ones at Sarasota National Cemetery on Friday.

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By DON BLAIR

Sarasota Herald-Tribune correspondent

Published: January 10, 2009

SARASOTA COUNTY - Beneath cloudless skies, a group of about 50 people gathered Friday morning at the still very new Sarasota National Cemetery on State Road 72 to mark the first 11 interments of area veterans and three of their spouses.

What had been little more than a typical farm field just last June, when the cemetery was officially dedicated, is now the 128th Department of Veterans Affairs cemetery and only the sixth such facility in the state of Florida.

Where hay and grasses grew unchecked so recently are now 60 sodded and groomed acres that will provide burial sites for nearly 18,200 full casket grave sites, including 15,200 pre-placed crypts, 500 in-ground cremains (urned cremated remains) and a large and imposing columbarium with niches for some 7,500 above-ground burial urns.

When complete, the cemetery will have room for the remains of 400,000 veterans and family members.

In a service lasting little more than half an hour Friday, the assembled families sat facing the prepared sites for the urns of their loved ones as they and several dozen Veterans Administration and various state and local officials watched an honor guard march slowly through the site followed by remarks by the clergy, a 21-gun salute and taps by a Navy bugler.

"Today we have kept our promise to the men and women of Florida who have faithfully served our nation," said the VA's undersecretary for memorial affairs, William F. Tuerk, who also attended last June's groundbreaking. "With these first burials in this beautiful national shrine, we have established a final resting place and lasting tribute that commemorates their service and sacrifice."

The ceremony had barely concluded when the first of eight more urn interments scheduled for Friday began: two about 10 a.m., one each at 11 and l p.m., another at l:15 and three more at 3 p.m.

Such will be the pace at the cemetery from this day forward, every weekday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Before the establishment of Sarasota National Cemetery, some local families traveled to the other five VA cemeteries in Florida: Barrancas, Bushnell, West Palm Beach, St. Petersburg and St. Augustine, with the latter two sites accepting only cremated remains.

Still to come at Sarasota National: An administration and public information complex, electronic grave site locators and public restrooms, a memorial walkway, and two committal shelters for funeral services.

Casket burials will not commence until about a year from now.

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