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Black Hills National Cemetery: Difference between revisions
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'''Black Hills National Cemetery''', originally named '''Fort Meade National Cemetery''', is a [[United States National Cemetery]] near [[Sturgis, South Dakota]]. Named after the nearby [[Black Hills]], over 29,000 interments of military veterans and their family members have taken place since its founding in 1948. It is administered by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]] (VA), which also operates the nearby [[Fort Meade National Cemetery]]. It was the first national cemetery in South Dakota and is currently the only one open to new burials. | '''Black Hills National Cemetery''', originally named '''Fort Meade National Cemetery''', is a [[United States National Cemetery]] near [[Sturgis, South Dakota]]. Named after the nearby [[Black Hills]], over 29,000 interments of military veterans and their family members have taken place since its founding in 1948. It is administered by the [[United States Department of Veterans Affairs|U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs]] (VA), which also operates the nearby [[Fort Meade National Cemetery]]. It was the first national cemetery in South Dakota and is currently the only one open to new burials. | ||
Prominent features of the cemetery include its committal shelter, where memorial services and events are held, and the Avenue of Flags leading up to it. Although primarily hosting lawn graves, three [[columbarium|columbaria]] were built in 2010, which allow the interment of ashes. Several memorial structures have been placed on the grounds since its inception, including one each for veterans of the Korean War and the | Prominent features of the cemetery include its committal shelter, where memorial services and events are held, and the Avenue of Flags leading up to it. Although primarily hosting lawn graves, three [[columbarium|columbaria]] were built in 2010, which allow the interment of ashes. Several memorial structures have been placed on the grounds since its inception, including one each for veterans of the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Multiple notable people are buried in the cemetery. | ||
==History== | ==History== | ||
===Establishment=== | ===Establishment=== | ||
The cemetery was established from land that once formed part of [[Fort Meade (South Dakota)|Fort Meade]]. When the fort officially closed as a military installation in 1944, most of its surrounding land was divided among various local interests. This closure coincided with a renewed need by the [[Department of the Army]] for military burial space following [[World War II]] and an aging veteran population from | The cemetery was established from land that once formed part of [[Fort Meade (South Dakota)|Fort Meade]]. When the fort officially closed as a military installation in 1944, most of its surrounding land was divided among various local interests. This closure coincided with a renewed need by the [[Department of the Army]] for military burial space following [[World War II]] and an aging veteran population from World War I and other previous conflicts. The Department of the Army took notice that the closest military cemetery for Black Hills veterans was at [[Fort Snelling National Cemetery]] in [[Minnesota]], several hundred miles away. In July 1947, Chief of the Memorial Division of the Quartermaster Corps George Horkan was placed in charge of surveying the Fort Meade area for a potential new cemetery site.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=9}} | ||
Although Fort Meade had its own cemetery dating back to the 19th century, a number of factors prevented the VA from repurposing it. Firstly, it was deemed too small in size;{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=9}} originally, the VA considered moving the existing bodies to Fort Snelling to make room for new burials, but cancelled this plan after facing considerable pushback from local cities.<ref name="dedicationldc">{{cite news |title=Fort Meade National Cemetery Dedicated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-fort-meade-national-ceme/141434287/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |work=Lead Daily Call |date=October 4, 1948 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-fort-meade-national-ceme/141434287/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-ft-meade-cemetery/141434467/ 5] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Fort Meade cemetery was also rather remote, and access roads were in poor condition. Finally, the bodies could not be moved without contacting next-of-kin, a task which would have proven impossible due to the age of many of the burials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Bob |title=Ridin' the Range |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-rapid-city-journal-r/18273380/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |work=[[Rapid City Journal|Rapid City Daily Journal]] |date=March 19, 1950 |page=10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> | Although Fort Meade had its own cemetery dating back to the 19th century, a number of factors prevented the VA from repurposing it. Firstly, it was deemed too small in size;{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=9}} originally, the VA considered moving the existing bodies to Fort Snelling to make room for new burials, but cancelled this plan after facing considerable pushback from local cities.<ref name="dedicationldc">{{cite news |title=Fort Meade National Cemetery Dedicated |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-fort-meade-national-ceme/141434287/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |work=Lead Daily Call |date=October 4, 1948 |pages=[https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-fort-meade-national-ceme/141434287/ 1], [https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-ft-meade-cemetery/141434467/ 5] |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> The Fort Meade cemetery was also rather remote, and access roads were in poor condition. Finally, the bodies could not be moved without contacting next-of-kin, a task which would have proven impossible due to the age of many of the burials.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Bob |title=Ridin' the Range |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-rapid-city-journal-r/18273380/ |access-date=February 18, 2024 |work=[[Rapid City Journal|Rapid City Daily Journal]] |date=March 19, 1950 |page=10 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> | ||
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Several expansions and developments have taken place since the cemetery's establishment, with improvements beginning almost immediately after its opening.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|pp=10–12}} The Omaha district of the Corps of Engineers oversaw most of the early developments. In 1951, 229 trees and 1,200 shrubs were planted, metal gates and fencing were erected at the entrance, and the superintendent's home was built.<ref name="beauty"/> | Several expansions and developments have taken place since the cemetery's establishment, with improvements beginning almost immediately after its opening.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|pp=10–12}} The Omaha district of the Corps of Engineers oversaw most of the early developments. In 1951, 229 trees and 1,200 shrubs were planted, metal gates and fencing were erected at the entrance, and the superintendent's home was built.<ref name="beauty"/> | ||
The search for a reliable underground water source to support more vegetation was given priority, although it took several years. Multiple failed drilling attempts by H. Hackett and Sons, Inc.<ref name="wellfive">{{cite news |title=Working Five Years on Well: R.C. Contractor Is Unhappy With Omaha Army Engineers; Loses Money on Instructions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader-rc-contractor-is-unhappy/141688215/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=[[Argus-Leader]] |agency= | The search for a reliable underground water source to support more vegetation was given priority, although it took several years. Multiple failed drilling attempts by H. Hackett and Sons, Inc.<ref name="wellfive">{{cite news |title=Working Five Years on Well: R.C. Contractor Is Unhappy With Omaha Army Engineers; Loses Money on Instructions |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/argus-leader-rc-contractor-is-unhappy/141688215/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=[[Argus-Leader]] |agency=Associated Press |date=October 7, 1953 |location=Rapid City, South Dakota |page=24 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> and Layne Minnesota Co. were marred by cave-ins and lost equipment;<ref name="beauty">{{cite news |title=Beautification Work Underway At Federal Cemetery |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/rapid-city-journal-beautification-work-u/141625605/ |access-date=February 20, 2024 |work=[[Rapid City Journal|Rapid City Daily Journal]] |date=September 16, 1951 |page=20 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> one subcontracted drilling company went bankrupt as a result. William Hackett, president of Hackett and Sons, blamed the Corps of Engineers for the failures.<ref name="wellfive"/> The pump house was finally completed in 1955.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=11}} | ||
Initial plans included space for a [[chapel]], but this apparently was never constructed. The Avenue of Flags was added in 1967 and expanded in 1975. The National Cemetery System, a branch of the VA, took over management of almost all national cemeteries in 1973, including the Black Hills National Cemetery. The administration building was constructed at that time, and the committal shelter soon followed in 1978, in the space once reserved for the chapel. In the 1990s, the superintendent's office was demolished and the administration building was expanded with new offices and restroom facilities.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|pp=10–12}} | Initial plans included space for a [[chapel]], but this apparently was never constructed. The Avenue of Flags was added in 1967 and expanded in 1975. The National Cemetery System, a branch of the VA, took over management of almost all national cemeteries in 1973, including the Black Hills National Cemetery. The administration building was constructed at that time, and the committal shelter soon followed in 1978, in the space once reserved for the chapel. In the 1990s, the superintendent's office was demolished and the administration building was expanded with new offices and restroom facilities.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|pp=10–12}} | ||
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* 52 Charlie Missing Wingman Memorial: A bronze plaque set in a granite monument dedicated to the memory of missing [[United States Air Force]] service members. It was unveiled by the USAF Pilot Training Class 52-Charlie in May 2007.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=6}}<ref name="va"/> | * 52 Charlie Missing Wingman Memorial: A bronze plaque set in a granite monument dedicated to the memory of missing [[United States Air Force]] service members. It was unveiled by the USAF Pilot Training Class 52-Charlie in May 2007.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=6}}<ref name="va"/> | ||
* Gettysburg Address plaque: A cast-iron plaque commemorating President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 [[Gettysburg Address]] was installed on [[Memorial Day]] 2012.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=6}} | * Gettysburg Address plaque: A cast-iron plaque commemorating President Abraham Lincoln's 1863 [[Gettysburg Address]] was installed on [[Memorial Day]] 2012.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|p=6}} | ||
* Medal of Honor Bicentennial Plaque: A memorial commemorating recipients of the | * Medal of Honor Bicentennial Plaque: A memorial commemorating recipients of the Medal of Honor, placed near Columbarium A. An associated memorial tree was removed in 2010 with the construction of the adjacent columbaria.{{sfn|Mehls|2016|pp=3,4,6}} | ||
* Vietnam War Memorial: Similar to the Korean War Memorial, this monument memorializes the those who served in the | * Vietnam War Memorial: Similar to the Korean War Memorial, this monument memorializes the those who served in the Vietnam War and was established in 2019.<ref name="va"/> | ||
* USN Seabees Memorial: In 2021, a new monument was dedicated to the [[United States Naval Construction Battalions]], nicknamed Seabees.<ref name="va"/> | * USN Seabees Memorial: In 2021, a new monument was dedicated to the [[United States Naval Construction Battalions]], nicknamed Seabees.<ref name="va"/> | ||
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* [[Doris Leader Charge]], Lakota educator and actress<ref name="ngl"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Steve |title=Lakota teacher Leader Charge dies |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/lakota-teacher-leader-charge-dies/article_5996754b-f6d7-5b51-aea1-e16978fe0f3f.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=[[Rapid City Journal]] |date=February 19, 2001 |location=Mission}}</ref> | * [[Doris Leader Charge]], Lakota educator and actress<ref name="ngl"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Miller |first1=Steve |title=Lakota teacher Leader Charge dies |url=https://rapidcityjournal.com/lakota-teacher-leader-charge-dies/article_5996754b-f6d7-5b51-aea1-e16978fe0f3f.html |access-date=August 6, 2024 |work=[[Rapid City Journal]] |date=February 19, 2001 |location=Mission}}</ref> | ||
* Commander [[John Charles Waldron]] (cenotaph only), U.S. Navy, lost at sea during the [[Battle of Midway]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] recipient<ref name="ngl"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Joan |title=Dakota Images |journal=South Dakota History |publisher=South Dakota State Historical Society |date=1992 |volume=22 |number=3 |pages=308–309 |url=https://www.sdhspress.com/journal/south-dakota-history-22-3/dakota-images-john-c-waldron/vol-22-no-3-dakota-images-john-c-waldron.pdf |access-date=August 6, 2024}}</ref> | * Commander [[John Charles Waldron]] (cenotaph only), U.S. Navy, lost at sea during the [[Battle of Midway]], [[Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)|Distinguished Flying Cross]] recipient<ref name="ngl"/><ref>{{cite journal |last1=Anderson |first1=Joan |title=Dakota Images |journal=South Dakota History |publisher=South Dakota State Historical Society |date=1992 |volume=22 |number=3 |pages=308–309 |url=https://www.sdhspress.com/journal/south-dakota-history-22-3/dakota-images-john-c-waldron/vol-22-no-3-dakota-images-john-c-waldron.pdf |access-date=August 6, 2024}}</ref> | ||
* [[Charles Windolph]], | * [[Charles Windolph]], Medal of Honor recipient for action at the [[Battle of Little Bighorn]] during the Indian Wars<ref name="va"/><ref>{{cite news |title='Medal' recipient names to be enshrined |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/lead-daily-call-medal-recipient-names/152971464/ |access-date=August 9, 2024 |work=Lead Daily Call |date=July 20, 1976 |page=1 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||