Alton National Cemetery

Alton National Cemetery is a United States National Cemetery located in the city of Alton, in Madison County, Illinois. Administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, it encompasses only half an acre plot of land, and as of the end of 2005, had 522 interments. It is maintained by the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Alton National Cemetery
Overview from the northeast
Location600 Pearl St.
Alton, Illinois
Coordinates38°53′26″N 90°09′49″W
Built1870
MPSCivil War Era National Cemeteries MPS
NRHP reference No.11000245

History

Originally a military section of the Alton City Cemetery, and in use since 1870, the half acre lot was donated to the federal government in 1940. It was intended that the remains buried in the cemetery be moved to the Springfield National Cemetery, but public protest prevented it. It is the resting place of many Civil War Union soldiers.

In 2006, Alton announced the first of what is hoped to be an annual Memorial Day Sunset Ceremony at the cemetery that will include speeches by local elected officials, a performance by the Scott Air Force Base band, Pipes and Drums, and a VFW 21-gun salute. This event is well-attended and has continued as of 2018.[1]

Burials are limited to cremains and, as of August 2018, soon to be limited to "second interments" of the second decedent, whether that is the veteran, spouse, or a child.[2]

References
  1. Brannan, Dan (2018-05-30). "Alton National Cemetery Sunset Ceremony again moves those in attendance". RiverBender.com. Retrieved 2019-05-19.
  2. Weller, Linda N. (2018-08-01). "VA soon to limit burials at Alton National Cemetery to 'second interments'". Alton Telegraph. Retrieved 2019-05-19.

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