(Suffolk, Va.) The Virginia Department of Veterans Services announced that the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, Virginia conducted its 20,000 interment on November 4, 2024, which coincided with 20th anniversary of the cemetery’s dedication on November 4, 2004.
The Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is one of three state veterans cemeteries in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The process to construct a state veterans cemetery began in 1997 when Retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Albert G. Horton, Jr. began planning for his future and quickly realized the need for a veterans cemetery in the Hampton Roads area. The closest national or state veterans cemetery that was open to new burials was 130 miles away in Amelia.
After countless hours by Mr. Horton, the efforts of hundreds of people, the work of numerous veterans groups, and support of elected officials at the state and national level, the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk was established, named in honor of the man who had worked so tirelessly on behalf of his fellow veterans.
“The Commonwealth of Virginia was so fortunate to have an advocate like Al Horton to fight for Hampton Roads veterans and eligible family members to have a dignified final resting place close to home,” said Chuck Zingler, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “Every man and woman who fought for this country deserves the very best even after they have left this life. Thankfully, Mr. Horton decided to begin that fight 27 years ago so that over 20,000 individuals to follow could be laid to rest in Suffolk.”
The Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is the 10th state veterans cemetery to surpass the 20,000-interment milestone. It is currently ranked the third busiest state veterans cemetery in the nation.
“Virginia had the honor of interring its 20,000th individual on the 20th anniversary of the cemetery. What a momentous milestone,” said Michael Henshaw, Director of Virginia State Veterans Cemeteries for the Virginia Department of Veterans Services. “Our three veterans cemeteries provide a place of honor, dignity, respect, and remembrance —a final resting place for our veterans and eligible family members.”
The Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery currently averages nine interments a day with that number rising each year. All interments are free for veterans, military service members, members of the Guard and Reserve, and their eligible family members at Virginia’s state veterans cemeteries. Virginia’s cemeteries accommodate in-ground burial of casketed remains, in-ground inurnment of cremated remains, and above-ground inurnment of cremated remains in a columbarium.
For more information on any of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services cemeteries, please visit https://www.dvs.virginia.gov/veteran-cemeteries or call 855-4VA-VETS (855-482-8387).
