![](media/image1.jpeg){width="6.416666666666667in"
height="0.9833333333333333in"}

# 

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
>
> July 13, 2008
>
> **Alabama National Cemetery Dedicated**
>
> ***New Shrine Will Honor America's Veterans***
>
> WASHINGTON -- A dedication ceremony was held today in Montevallo,
> Ala., for the new Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national
> cemetery.
>
> "To build a national shrine for the veterans of Alabama is our
> mission," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Dr. James B. Peake. "With
> this new cemetery, we are providing a final resting place and lasting
> tribute to the men and women who have protected and defended our
> nation."
>
> VA's Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs William F. Tuerk provided
> the keynote address and joined local officials as the dedication
> plaque was unveiled. Military honors included a firing detail, and the
> ceremony ended with the playing of "Taps."
>
> The new 479-acre national cemetery in the town of Montevallo,
> approximately five miles west of Interstate 65, will serve nearly
> 200,000 veterans living in the greater Birmingham area.
>
> VA selected Quincy Whitehead as the cemetery's first director. Before
> this appointment, she served as the director at Barrancas National
> Cemetery in Pensacola, Fla.
>
> Construction of an early burial area will begin later this year and
> will consist of approximately 10 acres, including facilities to
> maintain, operate and provide burials. VA anticipates burials will
> begin in early 2009.
>
> When the entire 45-acre initial construction is complete, the
> interment areas will provide for 7,395 full casket gravesites, 999
> in-ground cremation sites and approximately 2,700 columbarium niches.
> Initially, the cemetery staff will work from a temporary office, a
> committal service shelter and an equipment facility until construction
> is finished.

**-More-**

> **Alabama Cemetery Dedication 2/2/2/2**
>
> When completed, the new cemetery will include an administration and
> public information complex, with an electronic gravesite locator and
> public restrooms, a maintenance facility, entrance and flag assembly
> areas; a memorial walkway, and two committal shelters. Other
> infrastructure elements include roadways, landscaping, utilities and
> irrigation.
>
> Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and
> eligible dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery.
> Other burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless
> of whether they are buried in national cemetery or a private cemetery,
> include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a
> government headstone or marker.
>
> In the midst of the largest expansion since the Civil War, VA operates
> 125 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers'
> lots and monument sites. More than three million Americans, including
> veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA's national
> cemeteries on more than 17,000 acres of land.
>
> Information about VA burial benefits can be obtained from national
> cemetery offices, from the Internet at
> [http://www.cem.va.gov](http://www.cem.va.gov/) or by calling VA
> regional offices toll-free at (800) 827-1000.
>
> For information about the Alabama National Cemetery, call the cemetery
> office at (205) 665-9039. To make burial arrangements at the time of
> need, call the national cemetery scheduling office at (800) 535-1117.

\# \# \#