Photo By Sgt. Du-Marc Mills | Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Annville, Pennsylvania, Aug. 30, 2024. Located...... read more read more
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ANNVILLE, Pa. - When you think of places where America honors its heroes, you might first think of Arlington National Cemetery, with its beautiful hills and its famous ceremonies at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It's a special place where many of America’s heroes rest. However, it isn’t the only such location. All across the U.S., there are national cemeteries filled with stories of brave men and women who served our country. One of those places is right here in Pennsylvania at Indiantown Gap National Cemetery.
National cemeteries are sacred places where veterans and their families are buried. These cemeteries show our respect and thankfulness for their service to our country. In Pennsylvania, we have several of these cemeteries, including Indiantown Gap, which reminds us of the bravery and dedication of our military members.
Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is located in Lebanon County next toFort Indiantown Gap, a military installation and headquarters of the Pennsylvania National Guard. It opened in 1976 to give veterans in central Pennsylvania a place of honor to rest. The land it’s on was once used to train Soldiers during World War II. Now, it's a peaceful place where people come to remember and honor fallen service members and loved ones.
As you walk through the cemetery, you feel a sense of deep respect. The rows of white headstones align perfectly, representing the order and discipline of the people buried there. Each headstone shares a small glimpse into the person’s life — their name, rank, and the branch of military they served in. Some also denote religious denominations or feature special words chosen by their families. Every stone marks the resting place of someone who sacrificed for our country.
Indiantown Gap is the final resting place of veterans from World War I to present day. Some of the heroes buried here were awarded the Medal of Honor for their incredible bravery. But every veteran buried here, known or unknown, has shown great dedication to our nation.
During my time in the cemetery, I witnessed a funeral ceremony being held. Dressed in all white uniforms and red caps, the Honor Guard Veteran Staff paid their respect to an escorted family member of a fallen Soldier. The Honor Guard, with rifle in hand, fired several rounds and played “taps,” a bugle call.
One of the most impressive parts of Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is the Pennsylvania Veterans' Memorial. It’s the biggest memorial of its kind in any national cemetery in the U.S. The memorial is beautifully designed with big stone arches, water pools, and a central courtyard, making it a solemn place to think and reflect. The memorial has been updated and maintained over the years to make sure it stays a fitting tribute to the fallen veterans.
So, remember, national cemeteries are more than just places where people are buried. They are places of honor, keeping the stories of our nation’s heroes alive. Here in Pennsylvania, Indiantown Gap National Cemetery is our way of providing a heartfelt thank you to those who served.
| Date Taken: | 08.30.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 09.05.2024 12:43 |
| Story ID: | 480072 |
| Location: | ANNVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 90 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Exploring Indiantown Gap National Cemetery: A Tribute to Heroes, by SGT Du-Marc Mills, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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