National cemeteries prepare for America's newest war dead

By ROBERT JABLON
Associated Press Writer

LOS ANGELES (AP) America's newest war dead are finding graves in national cemeteries that are more accustomed to burying elderly veterans of previous conflicts.

The nation's most prestigious national cemetery in Arlington, Va., and its busiest in Riverside are both expecting to hold funerals in the coming weeks for those killed in the Iraq war.

They will be treated no differently than veterans of World War II, Vietnam or other military encounters.

``Every soldier is treated with the dignity and the honors that they deserve,'' said Jennifer Lafley, a spokeswoman for the Military District of Washington.

On Wednesday, Maj. Jay Thomas Aubin, 36, of Waterville, Maine, became the first Iraq war casualty to be buried in a national cemetery.

The Marine from Camp Pendleton was buried at Ft. Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego after being killed on March 21 in a helicopter crash. Another crash victim, Marine Cpl. Brian Matthew Kennedy, 25, of Houston, was to be buried there Monday.

Funerals were pending for Marine Cpl. Jorge A. Gonzalez, 20, of Los Angeles, and Navy Lt. Thomas Mullen Adams, 27, of La Mesa.

The cemetery had been closed to new casket burials since 1966 after running out of space. But storms in February and March knocked down two cypress trees, helping create 12 burial spaces.

Marine Cpl. Jose A. Garibay, 21, of Costa Mesa, who was killed in combat, will likely be buried this month at Riverside National Cemetery, about 60 miles east of downtown Los Angeles. It handles an average of 32 burials daily sometimes one every 15 minutes making it the busiest national cemetery in the nation.

About 45,000 grave sites at the cemetery are unused. When fully operational, it will have room for more than 600,000 caskets, director Steve Jorgensen said. Space for cremated remains has run out, but a new columbarium is being built with 10,000 niches, with the first expected to become available in July.

``Most of our employees are veterans, have served in conflicts and are very attuned to it,'' Jorgensen said. ``I don't think anyone wants to see young people (die) ... be it a child or anyone.''

No burials have been scheduled yet at San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery.

Volunteers from veteran groups, the National Guard and nearby Lemoore Naval Air Station provide honor guards but it can be difficult to find buglers to play ``Taps.''

``There's definitely a shortage'' of buglers, said Carla Williams, director of the site. The cemetery has recorded music, if necessary, in shelters where services are conducted.

It can take three weeks to arrange a funeral at Arlington, and combat casualties are not bumped up in line. An average of 25 people are buried there every day, with military honors that range from rifle volleys for enlisted personnel to cannon salutes for generals.

During the Vietnam War, Arlington handled as many as 40 burials a day. The cemetery overlooking the Potomac River is also the resting place of Civil War soldiers, presidents, astronauts and victims of the Sept. 11 terrorist attack on the Pentagon, among others.

Jorgensen, of the Riverside National Cemetery, said burial at such locations is special because they are national shrines honoring the sacrifices of all veterans.

``It doesn't matter what period of service you have,'' he said. ``You only earn the right to be buried in a national cemetery. You can't buy your way in.''

On the Net:

National Cemetery Administration: http://www.cem.va.gov/index.htm

Arlington National Cemetery: http://www.arlingtoncemetery.org/

(Copyright 2003 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)