Greetings Members and Visitors,
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the Guardians of the National Cemetery, allow me to express our sincere best wishes to you, your family, and friends, in these challenging times, as we deal with COVID-19 virus related restrictions and illness. We encourage you to continue with social distancing and quarantine, when necessary, so that sooner, rather than later, we can all return to a more normal lifestyle.
On March 23, 2020, the National Cemetery Association (NCA) suspended the rendering of all military funeral honors at national cemeteries across the country, while continuing with interments as requested, with a maximum of 10 witnesses.
Effective, Wednesday, April 15, 2020, to ensure social distancing at the cemetery, witnessing family members will be asked to view the interment from their cars or the road very near their cars.
The NCA is offering all families the option to postpone the interment, or to proceed with the interment and provide a memorial service at a later date.
No one knows when the funeral honors suspension will be lifted, but rest assured that the Guardians and the Honor Guard are preparing for that time. All HG members will be required to wear face masks for the foreseeable future. Our blank ammunition status is sufficient and our weapons are in good, operable condition.
Bob Craven
President
Guardians of the National Cemetery
