Tag Archives: Ft. Bliss National Cemetery

Fort Bliss National Cemetery will hold a memorial service for Veterans who were previously laid to rest July through September 2019 without honors or with no family in attendance.

“Every Veteran with honorable service has earned the right to be interred in a national cemetery and has paid the price by their service to this great nation,” said James Porter, Fort Bliss National Cemetery director. “We encourage the community to join us as we pay tribute to those who have served and sacrificed for our nation. It simply is the right thing for us to do.”

The ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, October 3 at 2:30 p.m. at the West Shelter, located at 5200 Fred Wilson Avenue.

These Veterans, referred to as Unaccompanied Veterans, are former service members whose next of kin is unknown or loved ones cannot attend their service. Many times, burial arrangements have been made by a public administrator, a VA medical center, or some other authorized entity.

Open to the public, the memorial service includes military funeral honors and a roll call, where the names of each Veteran, his or her rank, and the branch of service are solemnly read. This is followed by the playing of “Taps” and the presentation of a folded American flag.

“No Veteran is buried alone,” said Porter. “Fort Bliss National Cemetery staff is present at every single burial and committal service. We become their family in that moment and ensure each service member who passes through our gates receives the proper tribute.”

On October 3rd, the community is invited to pay respects to these veterans. These veterans have served their country spanning from World War II, Korean War and Vietnam War on through serving through peacetime. Many of these warriors have distinguished careers and medals to include one of them received the Purple heart for their service to our country.

Following the unaccompanied burial service, El Paso VA Health Care System Director Michael Amaral will honor recently passed Veterans with a Last Roll Call and Remembrance Ceremony.

These ceremonies would not be possible without the help of The El Paso Marine Honors Unit, The El Paso Patriot Guard, Veteran Service Organizations, and local government partners.

“Sometimes we’re closer to other Veterans than we are with our own family,” said Bob Way, SgtMaj USMC Retired, El Paso Marine Honors Unit and Cemetery Support Committee Chairman.

“Sometimes, our families aren’t there to enjoy those memories and blessings with us so we rely on our brothers and sisters in arms.”

Officials with the Fort Bliss National Cemetery and “Carry The Load,” are inviting all community members to spend this year’s ‘National Day of Service’ beautifying the grounds and cleaning headstones belonging to our nation’s heroes.

“Volunteers unite in service to our country by helping beautify the grounds of the Fort Bliss National Cemetery and clean headstones,” cemetery officials shared via a news release.

What started in 2011 as a mission to restore the true meaning of Memorial Day has now grown to honoring our nation’s heroes 365 days a year.

“Carry the Load” is a partner of the VA’s National Cemetery Administration.

Founded by former U.S. Navy SEALs Clint Bruce and Stephen Holley, Carry The Load is a non-profit organization that provides active ways to connect Americans to the sacrifices made daily by our nation’s military, veterans, first responders, and their families.

According to their website, Carry The Load is a non-profit organization that provides an “active way to connect Americans to the sacrifices made daily by our military, veterans, first responders and their families.”

All community members are invited to volunteer. Interested persons may sign up in the “upcoming events” section on the website.

The Fort Bliss National Cemetery is located on 83 acres adjacent to Fort Bliss.

WHEN: Wednesday, September 11, 2019, promptly at 9 a.m.

WHERE: Fort Bliss National Cemetery  |  5200 Fred Wilson Avenue

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced Ft. Bliss National Cemetery will offer Saturday burials as part of a weekend burial initiative.

This initiative will accommodate cremated remains burials the first Saturday of each month at six national cemeteries, beginning November 4, 2017.

“We pride ourselves on improving access to burial benefits while meeting individual needs of families,” said James Porter, Ft. Bliss National Cemetery Director. “We want Veterans and their families to choose VA. Our burial services should be convenient for families, loved ones, funeral homes and community members.”

NCA is implementing this program based on feedback from Veterans and families provided on its annual customer satisfaction survey, which identified an interest in weekend burials at national cemeteries.

Ft. Bliss will also continue its practice of honoring special requests for weekend burials for religious purposes, in cases of service members killed in action and on at least one day of any three-day Federal holiday weekend.

NCA will assess adding other options and national cemeteries in the future.

The other national cemeteries offering Saturday burial services are: Florida National Cemetery, Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Ft Snelling National Cemetery, Riverside National Cemetery and Calverton National Cemetery.

Those wishing to schedule a Saturday service should call the National Scheduling Office at 1-800-535-1117. Scheduling agents are available seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Central Time.