National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
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National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Phoenix in Maricopa County, Arizona. It encompasses 225 acres, and as of the end of 2005, had 43,672 interments.
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[edit] History
A state law passed in 1976, by then Governor Raul Hector Castro, authorized the creation of a large veteran's cemetery. The location in Phoenix was chosen and the cemetery was dedicated on December 9, 1978. The first interment took place the following spring. It was officially transferred to the control of the Department of Vetarans Affairs and became a National Cemetery in 1989. In 1999, over 13 million dollars was spent on improving the facilities and developing the area with the intent of serving the burial needs of veterans until the year 2030.
[edit] Notable monuments
- The Eternal Flame, a pyramidal monument.
- The World War II Submarine Torpedo monument.
[edit] Notable interments
- Thomas Bonner, president of Wayne State University, author.
- Nathan E. Cook, the last surviving veteran of the Spanish-American War, died at the age of 106.
- Doyle "Porky" Lade, major league baseball player, for the Chicago Cubs.
