By Jo Mixon / Jay Mitchell
The New Mexico Department of Veterans Services (NM DVS) held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Angel Fire State Veterans Cemetery Oct. 26, 2019. On Friday, July 25th, 2020, NM DVS held a series of briefings and tours to mark the “soft opening” of New Mexico’s latest State Veterans’ Cemeteries here in the Moreno Valley. The first columbarium interment will be held today, Monday July 27th at 1:00 PM, for a local veteran, Darrel Fugett. He had lived in Eagle Nest for many years and had been a volunteer worker at the Memorial. A number of other services will be held throughout August.
Angel Fire’s Veterans Cemetery is the third of four state-level veterans cemetery’s to open as a result of past Governor Susana Martinez’s State Cemetery Initiative, a program she launched in 2013 with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs financing for VA-funded, state-managed veteran cemeteries. Governor Martinez dedicated the cemetery to honor all who have served in uniform. She said, “New Mexicans have always stood ready to defend our state and nation in the U.S. Armed Forces, and they deserve a final resting place that is close to home.”
The cemetery is built in a serene meadow below the south side of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial with current construction and equipment totaling $3.25 million dollars. It will serve, in phased expansions, more than 15,700 veterans and their families. Currently there are 100 in-ground crypts (full body burial), 120 in-ground cremains gravesites (ashes buried in the ground), 200 columbarium spaces, and a memorial wall for those whom have been listed as MIA, Lost at Sea or otherwise declared deceased for which no remains have been found. Pre-applications for Memorial Wall Plaques and Veterans Pre-Application for Burial are available online at www.nmdvs.org/cemetery/. The cemetery is being beautifully landscaped in accordance with existing standards set by the VA for its 136 national cemeteries.
Tony Higgins says
Could we get information on this. I am a veteran of the Army.
Joseph Chacon says
What is the current job openings , for someone with experience.
Kaiti says
My question is there any spaces left for columbarium inurnment? And what size are the they for a large size marble urn with two cells? For a veteran and her service dog (already cremated)? Is this Cemetery open to all Veterans? OR just for those who served during WW2, Korean War or maybe what about those people who Served during the Vietnam Era and the Cold War Era Veteran? Are they eligible to be buried here in Angel Fire Cemetery? I’m a Veteran of both the Vietnam Era and the Cold War Era. MY hometown is down in Alamogordo, NM. Are benefits different here than what they are in a National Cemetery like that of Santa Fe National Cemetery? I prefer smaller Cemeteries out near the Mountains. I grew up in NM most of my life. I may not live much longer than a about a year or slightly more. I’m trying to get my burial arrangements set in place now before I start slipping out of remission status. IF anyone can help me with this situation? I would love to hear from anyone who knows how I need to get the needful paperwork started as soon as possible thanks.
SP 5 Kaitlin C. “Kaiti” Kelly
US Army
michael kuszynski says
The cemetary is beautifil. Hats off to all who constructed ant maintain it. I am proud to have my parents laid to rest there, God bless all.
Eileen D Grimes says
My husband is laid to rest in this beautiful cemetary.
Arthur R. Alarcon says
Heard about this cemetery on Echoes of the Vietnam War memorial fund. Great endeavor to stimulate healing and knowledge.
I am a VN Vet, Navy, 1967-69 SeaBees, Danang and QuangTri.
God Bless your work.