Peake Selects “Washington Crossing” as New VA National Cemetery Name

VA Purchases Land for New Pennsylvania National Cemetery

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has purchased the cemetery site from Dolington Land, LP, a subsidiary of real estate developer Toll Brothers, Inc., for $10.5 million. 

“This historic area is an ideal setting in which to build a cemetery – a timeless field of honor for the veterans in the Southeastern Pennsylvania area,” said Peake. “The name will reflect the service and sacrifices our veterans have made for their country for centuries.” 

With the purchase finalized, the cemetery master plan is under development and the first phase of construction, including an early burial area, is planned to begin in early 2009.  When complete, the first phase will consist of approximately 60 acres and will include facilities necessary to provide burials for approximately 10 years.

Burials at the new national cemetery, which will serve more than 580,000 veterans and their families who live in the area, are anticipated to begin in 2009.  Indiantown Gap National Cemetery, the nearest open national cemetery in Pennsylvania, is 120 miles from the site. 

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.  Other burial benefits for eligible veterans include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker – even if they are not buried in a national cemetery.

Due to an aging veteran population, VA is in the midst of the largest expansion since the Civil War. VA operates 125 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico, as well as 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites.  More than 3.3 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict — from the Revolutionary War to the current Global War on Terror — are buried in VA’s national cemeteries.