PLAN YOUR VISIT TO THE FORT BLISS NATIONAL CEMETERY

Fort Bliss National Cemetery is located at Fort Bliss, a military base adjacent to the city of El Paso in Texas. Located on 83 acres of land next to the Fort Bliss Army Post, the cemetery is dedicated to the burials of members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their family members.

Fort Bliss National Cemetery and Its History

The national cemetery is a historical landmark, as it is one of the few cemeteries that was created between World War I and World War II. The number of national cemeteries in operation needed to increase, and Fort Bliss Cemetery was one of the seven that was established after the Veteran population increased following the wars. The first burials in the cemetery date back to 1833, but it was not officially established as a cemetery at all until the 1840s. In 1936, the Fort Bliss Cemetery was finally established as a national cemetery. Fort Bliss Cemetery is now one of the increasing number of VA national cemeteries with different sections for both upright headstones and flat grave markers.

Things To Know Before Your Visit

Before visiting the cemetery, be aware that this is a place to respect and appreciate the ones who have passed on. Every cemetery has its own set of rules and regulations, and below is general information to know before arriving. The Fort Bliss National Cemetery hours allow the resting place to be open to the public daily from sunrise to sunset, and their office hours are from Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You may want to contact the cemetery directly if you have inquiries about the following:

• Scheduling an active-duty interment.
• Canceling or rescheduling an interment.
• Changing information you originally supplied.
• Requesting disinterment.
• Relocation to another cemetery.

Information Regarding Flowers and Decorations

• Fresh-cut flowers, artificial flowers, and military branch service flags are all authorized.
• Flowers must be placed in plastic vases.
• There is a limit of three vases for each grave site.
• Potted plants are only authorized around Easter – ten days before and ten days after.
• Wreaths are only allowed during the time of Wreaths Across America (December through January 20) and must be no larger than 2 feet by 3 feet.
• Flower pickups are monthly; you can find the schedule here.

If you are looking for a Fort Bliss Cemetery directory, click the link for more information. The VA website also offers a Fort Bliss Cemetery grave locator, where you can search by the name of the Veteran you are trying to find.

Who Can Be Buried at Fort Bliss?

Fort Bliss National Cemetery burials are open to all members of the Armed forces who meet an active-duty service requirement. The service member must also have been discharged from the service under conditions that were not dishonorable. Veterans are also eligible for burial at the cemetery, as well as widows or widowers, minor dependent children, and unmarried adult children who have disabilities under certain conditions. Members who are a part of the armed forces reserve components can also be eligible to be buried in the cemetery if they have passed during active duty, while on training duty, or if they were eligible for retired pay. Fort Bliss National Cemetery is located at 5200 Fred Wilson Ave. El Paso, Texas 79906. There is also a Fort Bliss Cemetery map that will help you navigate the cemetery during your visit.

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Image: Jorge Salgado