News Article

Lt. Governor Bolling and Congressman Forbes to speak at Memorial Day ceremony on May 28

Wednesday, May 23, 2012
Staff Report
progress-index.com

RICHMOND - Lt. Governor Bill Bolling and Congressman J. Randy Forbes will be the guest speakers at the Memorial Day ceremony at the Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Amelia. The ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. May 28. The cemetery is located at 10300 Pridesville Road in Amelia.

Bolling serves as the state's 40th lieutenant governor, a post he's held for two terms. Prior to his service as lieutenant governor, Bolling served for 10 years in the Senate of Virginia where he was recognized for his work on health care and natural resources. As lieutenant governor, he has focused public attention on health care issues such as obesity, cervical cancer, asthma, and cardiovascular fitness. In his second term as lieutenant governor, Bolling has focused on rejuvenating Virginia's economy and creating jobs. As the Commonwealth's Chief Jobs Creation Officer, he coordinates the state's economic development programs across numerous state agencies and works with business leaders to improve the economy.

Congressman J. Randy Forbes has served the 112th Congressional District since 2001. Prior to his election to Congress, he served in the Virginia General Assembly as both a delegate and senator.

The Memorial Day ceremony is being sponsored by the American Legion, Post 87. As part of the ceremony, representatives from this post and other veteran service organizations will place wreaths at the chapel to honor Virginia's veterans. American flags will be placed on all grave sites. Weather permitting, 75 American flags will line the perimeter road, creating the Avenue of Flags. Cemetery staff will be available to help visitors locate grave sites, and military service members and veterans can file pre-applications for future burial in the cemeteries.

Service members who were honorably discharged qualify for burial in one of Virginia's veterans cemeteries. A grave site, opening and closing of the grave for the veteran, placement of a government grave marker, and perpetual care of the site are provided to the veteran at no charge. Veterans' spouses and eligible dependent children may be interred for a small fee, currently $300. Veterans and family members being interred in the cemetery may also purchase outer burial containers (burial vaults) at cost ($400) from the cemetery.

The Virginia Veterans Cemetery, Amelia is one of three state-operated veterans cemeteries. Other state veterans cemeteries include the Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, located in Suffolk, and the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, located in Dublin. The cemeteries are operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS).

In addition to operating three veterans cemeteries, DVS operates 22 benefit services offices where representatives assist veterans and their family members with filing claims for veterans benefits. The agency operates the Virginia Veterans Care Center, a 240-bed long-term care center in Roanoke, and the 160-bed Sitter & Barfoot Veterans Care Center in Richmond. DVS coordinates the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program, and also certifies that post-secondary educational institutions meet G.I. Bill funding and eligibility requirements. For more information about DVS, visit http://www.VirginiaforVeterans.com.

For additional information contact Ibbie Hedrick at 804-225-2487 or ibbie.hedrick@ltgov.virginia.gov.