Houston National Cemetery

My first time to a veteran cemetry. My friend’s husband passed away 2 weeks ago. And I am here today for his funeral service. TAPS was played in the beginning of service. During the service the only upsetting thing was the silent folding of the U. S flag. The guards didn’t do it properly. It was very loosely folded. But overall it was a good service. Thank you for providing a peaceful resting place for our loved ones.

Veteran Memorial cemetery for Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard.
RIP Jasmine Nicole Barnes!
You will forever have made an impact to many and will always be remembered and Loved.
We know you are with our Father in Heaven.

Houston National Cemetery is different. I was expecting to see the perfectly aligned white markers; and I did. But, I also saw lots of open green space with randomly placed bouquets or flags.
I think this is the first national cemetery I’ve visited that had nearly as many in-​ground markers as above-​ground markers. It was a sight that made it harder to visualize the enormity of what it represents. There’s a strange symmetry about the mix of white markers and the slightly-​below ground flat stones.
A unique feature here is the hemicycle memorial with the carillon and chapel. Houston is one of only a very few national cemeteries that has it. As I walked around the grounds, I heard the patriotic music from the carillon echoing around the area. The hemicycle and the small rotunda hold the Veterans and Memorial Day ceremonies. It’s a peaceful location.
The one disappointment in this place of memorial is the empty bottles and cans and fast food bags littering the parking lot, under the trees, and near the edge of the cemetery stones. I found it disrespectful in a place that should be honoring those buried here.