Memorial Day Opening Ceremony

SPANISH FORT, Alabama – A new rural burial ground for veterans in South Alabama and elsewhere served as the solemn yet scenic backdrop for a Memorial Day ceremony that recognized fallen U.S. soldiers.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley spoke before a crowd of veterans and other onlookers at the new 22-acre Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort, which interred its first veteran in April and has buried 24 others thus far.

“This cemetery serves as a memorial and a proper resting place,” Bentley said. “We should honor our fallen service members not just with our words, but our hearts and in our actions every day.”

Bentley, speaking to the local media after the ceremony, said he believes veterans organizations and the Alabama State Department of Veteran’s Affairs will do a “very good job” in promoting and maintaining the state’s first dedicated veterans cemetery for the years to come.

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