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By James W. Robinson
Staff Writer

Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery is gearing up for two events in November.

In honor of the cemetery’s 20th anniversary, the cemetery will be hosting an Open House at 5310 Milners Road in Suffolk from 10 a.m to 2 p.m. on Nov. 4. Likewise, the cemetery is preparing for their Veterans Day celebrations on Nov. 7 and 12 both at 9 a.m. and are looking for volunteers to help with the events. During a Monday, Oct. 28 interview, AGHJ Cemetery Superintendent Angela Bufano had a chance to discuss both events. Bufano detailed the Open House, honoring its opening since Nov. 4, 2004.

“We’re just hopeful to have people who, either already are aware of us or who have never been to the Horton Cemetery, to come join us to learn more. There’s going to be informative presentations, one at 11 a.m. [and] one at 1 p.m. The open house is going to be from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.,” Bufano said. “We just hope to have some hors d’oeuvres and have some information to give out about the cemetery. Unfortunately, too many veterans don’t know about their final benefits, and this would just be that opportunity to, especially our general population here in Hampton Roads of all the veterans that we have here, let them know who we serve and what we do there.”

Bufano discussed the history of the cemetery, noting that Horton himself, a Navy Retired Senior Chief, began planning in 1997 for his future. Horton realized the need for a local veterans’ cemetery, due to the closest Virginia state veteran’s cemetery being 130 miles away in Amelia.

“…Other nearby national cemeteries were either full of veterans (only accepting eligible dependents) or further away than Amelia,” she said. “It is my understanding Mr. Horton put up quite the fight to establish a veterans cemetery. He wrote Senator John W. Warner for support. A request for a National Cemetery was submitted; however, it was denied.”

However, Horton was a man who never took ‘No’ for an answer and focused on establishing a state veteran’s cemetery.

“It took countless hours, hundreds of people, numerous veterans’ groups, and Virginia legislature involvement to establish Albert G. Horton, Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk,” Bufano said. “Although Mr. Horton did not get to see the fruits of his labor on this endeavor, I can only imagine how proud everyone must have been to see this effort come to fruition. Mr. Horton is now resting in an establishment he painstakingly created.”

Horton, who passed away on October 17, 2002, was placed in a private cemetery until he was placed with his late wife Evelyn at Horton Cemetery in 2004. On volunteering for Veterans Day, Bufano says there is no application process for those interested in.

“Basically, they would just show up on Thursday, November 7, starting at 9 a.m. We will be placing flags and while preparing the grounds to place the flags and then placing the flags, no matter rain shine, it is a first come first serve basis and we are open to the public,” Bufano said. “We do anticipate the event to last approximately four hours, however, depending on the amount of volunteers who come out, it could last longer. It could go all day. But our ultimate goal is to have all flags in place at every memorial marker by 5 p.m. before close of business that day.”

Bufano says that thanks to Horton and his supporters, Hampton Roads is able to help serve those who gave their lives to service as well as their families.

“Thanks to Governor Youngkin, there have been no burial fees for Veterans, Reservists, National Guard Members, and eligible family members since July 1, 2023,” Bufano said. “The Horton Cemetery has averaged 1400+ burials yearly since 2021. To serve veterans years from now, I encourage veterans to submit a preapplication, with no obligation.”

For more information on pre-application submission, go to dvs.virginia.gov/cemeteries. For more information on Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery, go to dvs.virginia.gov/cemeteries/suffolk-cemetery.