It has the largest area of any national cemetery in the United States,[2] and the busiest (in terms of daily burials) conducting more than 7,000 burials each year as of 2011.[3]
In 1974, Long Island National Cemetery was the only national cemetery on Long Island with available space for burials—but its maximum burial capacity was soon to be exhausted. As a result, plans were developed by the National Cemetery System to construct a new regional cemetery to serve the greater New York area, home then to nearly three million veterans and their dependents. On December 7, 1977, a 902 acres (365 ha) tract of land was transferred from the Naval Weapons Industrial Reserve Plant, Calverton to the Veterans Administration for use as a national cemetery.
The National Cemetery System realized that Calverton National Cemetery would become one of its more active cemeteries. For that reason, they designed and built a feature called a committal “wheel” of shelters that permits multiple burial services to be held simultaneously. To the left of the main cemetery entrance, around the Veteran’s Circle, are seven committal shelters. After the funeral service, the caskets are moved into the hub of the wheel and then transported to their respective gravesites. In 1983, the walls of the committal shelters were reconstructed to serve as columbaria for the inurnment of cremated remains.
Notable monuments
Calverton National Cemetery features a memorial pathway lined with a variety of memorials that honor America’s veterans. As of 2003, there were 18 memorials here, most commemorating soldiers of 20th century wars.
Arthur Pinajian, Corporal, US Army, World War II. Awarded Bronze Star Medal. Comic book creator and illustrator in the 1930s to 1950s, and impressionist artist.
Isaac Woodard, Jr., Sergeant, US Army, World War II. African American World War II veteran whose 1946 beating and maiming sparked national outrage.
