Reply #49

Mom will also be buried there. My parents had only plans that they would be cremated. They had purchased a niche in a local Catholic Cemetery (the National Cemetery wasn't yet in place). When Dad died, the Catholic cemetery wanted over $600 to open the niche. My Mom balked, as they had paid about $2000 for a spaces on a shelf. The opening would have consisted of placing a key into the lock and sliding the glass door.

We had Dad's urn in the house from 2000-2006, when the National Cemetery opened. I contacted the cemetery made arrangements to bring my Dad's urn to the cemetery. There was a ceremony with 2 active duty Marines, who folded the flag and gave it to Mom. There was also 12 former Marines, who gave my Mom several mementos of my Dad's service, e.g. a wine glass with the Marine Corps Seal on the bottom (we always place this on the table at holidays), and a beautiful letter that showed research had been done on my Dad's service as it mentioned his Korean War Service and being one of the frozen Chosin. Dad was in the Marines for 14 years.

I'm sorry about your Dad, but he's among the men and women who didn't balk and served. I recommend going to the cemetery on Memorial Day, the services are wonderful.