GENERAL INFORMATION

Military Funeral Honors
In addition to the Department of Defense military funeral honors program, "Honoring Those Who Served," the Riverside National Cemetery Memorial Honor Detail (MHD) is generally available Monday through Friday to provide military funeral honors for veterans. MHD teams are strictly volunteers and vary in size and scope, from folding and presenting the flag only, to full honors with a rifle salute and bugler. All military funeral honors performed by the MHD are provided at NO COST to the family. Scheduling for the MHD is accomplished by cemetery personnel on a first request basis until all available slots for the day are taken. If the MHD is unavailable for the requested time of service, the family or funeral director is responsible for making other arrangements.
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HISTORICAL INFORMATION

Riverside National Cemetery is the fifth-largest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration, and in 2000 was the most active in the system based on the number of interments. It was established in 1976 through the transfer of 740 acres from March Air Force Base, which during World War II was called the U.S. Army's Camp William G. Haan. The cemetery was dedicated and opened for burials Nov. 11, 1978.

The dramatic, meandering landscape features a central boulevard with memorial circles, lakes, indigenous-styled committal shelters, and a memorial amphitheater.

Monuments and Memorials
Riverside National cemetery is home of the Medal of Honor Memorial and one of three sites recognized as a National Medal of Honor Memorial Site. The Medal of Honor Memorial, whose walls feature the names of all medal recipients, is located at the third traffic circle in the cemetery. It was dedicated in 1999.

The Fallen Soldier/Veterans' Memorial, erected in 2000, is dedicated to all service members who gave the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The dramatic bronze structure topped by a reclining soldier is located near the lake at the entrance to the cemetery.

A carillon was donated by the American Veterans (AMVETS) in 2000.

A memorial to Prisoners of War was dedicated in 2003.
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NOTABLE BURIALS

Medal of Honor Recipients
Staff Sergeant Ysmael R. Villegas, (World War II) U.S. Army, Company F, 127th Infantry, 32nd Infantry Division. Villa Verde Trail, Luaon, Philippine Islands, March 20, 1945 (Section 5, Grave 1178).

Commander (then Pharmacist's Mate First Class) John H. Balch, (World War I), U.S. Navy, 6th Regiment, U.S. Marines. Vierzy & Somme-Py, France, July 19, 1918, and Oct. 5, 1918 (Section 2, Grave 1925).

Colonel (then Platoon Sergeant) Mitchell Paige, (World War II and Korea) U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division, Solomon Islands, Oct. 26, 1942, (Section 20A, Grave 533).

Other Burials
Woodrow "Woody" Strode, Section 46, Grave 283. Mr. Strode starred in a movie as Buffalo Soldier "Sergeant Rutledge."

Colonel Aaron Bank, U.S. Army, (World War II and Korea) Section 17, Grave 421. Colonel Bank is considered to be the father of The Army Special Forces.
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FLORAL/GROUNDS REGULATIONS

Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.

Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial are limited to five arrangements and will be placed on the completed grave. They will be removed when they become unsightly or within three days of the burial.

Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed and disposed of when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations. Visitors may contact the office staff to learn when upcoming grounds maintenance activities will require removal of floral tributes. Regular floral removal schedules are posted at the temporary floral vase trees located throughout the cemetery.

Artificial flowers and potted plants are not permitted on graves at any time.

Privately owned, permanent in-ground flower containers are not permitted on gravesites.

The cemetery will provide temporary metal containers to the public for displaying floral arrangements.

When placing floral items, please do not use glass containers, rocks, wire or other objects that could cause injury to cemetery staff or visitors. Mowers and trimmers can cause unseen items to become dangerous projectiles.

Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.

Permanent items removed from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for one month prior to disposal. Decorative items removed from graves remain the property of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. If not retrieved by the donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property. They will not be sold, collected for sale or recycling, or removed.
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