
The statue is surrounded by black marble pillars that evoke imprisonment. Vietnam veteran Lewis Lee Millett, Jr., sculpted the bronze statue which depicts an American serviceman on his knees with hands bound by his captors. The memorial was dedicated on September 16, 2005. Congress in 2004 through Public Law 108-454. The Prisoner of War/Missing in Action National Memorial was designated as a national memorial by the U.S. The dramatic bronze structure topped by a lifeless soldier is located near the lake at the entrance to the cemetery.Ī carillon was donated by the American Veterans (AMVETS) in 2000. The Fallen Soldier/Veterans' Memorial, erected in 2000, is dedicated to all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The Medal of Honor Memorial, whose walls feature the names of all medal recipients, is located at the third traffic circle in the cemetery.

Riverside National cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial and one of four sites recognized as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. The dramatic, meandering landscape features a central boulevard with memorial circles, lakes, indigenous-styled committal shelters, and a memorial amphitheater.

An additional 181 acres was transferred by the Air Force in 2003. The cemetery was dedicated and opened for burials November 11, 1978. It was established in 1976 through the transfer of 740 acres from March Air Force Base, which during World War II was called the U.S. Riverside National Cemetery is the largest and busiest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration. Our nation's heroes, some of whom gave their lives for this country, deserve no less than an honorable and pristine landscape for their final resting place. We thank you in advance for observing the above listed regulations. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against theft, vandalism or the effects of nature, including damage by wildlife. Riverside National Cemetery assumes no responsibility for items left at graves. On Easter and Memorial Day artificial flowers and potted plants will be allowed on graves for a period extending five days before through five days after Easter Sunday and Memorial Day. The potted plants and trees are allowed only if they are not permanent and are decorated with unbreakable ornaments. During the holiday season: The cemetery's decorating policy allows, for the following floral arrangements, floral grave blankets about 2 feet by 3 feet, wreaths up to 20 inches in diameter and potted plants and trees no more than 24 inches tall. Seasonal Holiday Adornments for Christmas and Hanukkah, such as wreaths, potted poinsettias and other seasonal items may be placed on graves from the third Saturday in December (National Wreaths Across America Day) through the third Monday in January (Martin Luther King Jr. Modifications to the weekly flower pickup schedule are made for the following holidays: Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and the Christmas season. Headstones and niche covers are federal property, altering or marking by paint, marker, lipstick or any other means is prohibited.

No item or object may be attached to the headstone or niche cover. If not retrieved by the donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property. These items remain the property of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. Items appearing to be of sentimental or keepsake value will be retained for one month. If you have question, please ask us.Ĭemetery staff will immediately remove items deemed inappropriate or unsafe.

To maintain the dignity of the cemetery, commemorative items, balloons, pinwheels, glass or breakable items, votive lights, statues, shepherd's hooks are not allowed. Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury. Mowers and trimmers can cause unseen items to become dangerous projectiles. When placing floral items, please do not use glass containers, rocks, wire or other objects that could cause injury to cemetery staff or visitors. Once the blooms are spent or damaged, they are removed.
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Cemetery visitors are free to use the containers located in receptacles placed throughout the grounds. We welcome fresh-cut flowers throughout the year and provide flower containers for gravesite display. We ask for your understanding and cooperation with our efforts. The intent of our floral guidelines is to ensure that we maintain the cemetery with the dignity befitting a National Shrine.
