News & Events: Fair View Cemetery

Slideshow from the Dedication Ceremony of the Fair View Cemetery Veterans Plaza

Dedication of Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery
November 11, 2015

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery Dedicated

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

The Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery was dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 2015. The ceremony also commemorated the 125th anniversary of the cemetery.

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

Fair View offers free burial space on its grounds for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces in the Veterans Plaza.

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

The memorial bench designating the area has an inscription that reads:

“In appreciation to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice.”

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

The cemetery has already accepted its first military burial, and the grave was marked in time for the 11 AM program.

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

Roanoke City Council member Bill Bestpitch attended on behalf of the City of Roanoke.

Veterans Plaza Dedication at Fair VIew Cemetery, Roanoke, VA, November 11, 2015

The plot of land Fair View has sectioned off has enough space for around 1,200 to 1,500 burial plots.
 

WSLS10 News: Roanoke cemetery to offer free burial space to veterans

Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery
Click to read the article on the WSLS10 website.

By Ron Manch, WSLS Reporter


ROANOKE (WSLS 10) – A cemetery in Roanoke is helping military families honor veterans, even in death.

The Fair View Cemetery will begin offering free burial space on its grounds for any member of the U.S. Armed Forces, just in time for Veteran’s Day.

The program is also commemorating the 125th anniversary of the cemetery.

An average burial on grounds costs more than $1,300, but for veterans, it’s free of charge to be laid to rest right in the front of the cemetery.

To designate the area on grounds, the cemetery is placing a memorial bench that reads, “In appreciation to all veterans and their families for your service and sacrifice.”

Fair View president Myrteen Heslep says she was hoping to find a way to honor the veterans here in the Roanoke community and give their families a place nearby to remember them.

“When we meet with these families, and they’ve had a choice to go elsewhere and be buried out of town, they say it’s very important that they’re close to their loved ones for visiting, and we can truly understand that because we see families visiting and placing flowers and just spending time here day in and day out, so we realize the importance of that,” explained Heslep.

The plot of land Fair View has sectioned off has enough space for around 1,200 to 1,500 burial plots.

The cemetery has already accepted its first military burial.

Heslep says they will have that grave marked on Monday, just in time for a cemetery kicking off the program at 11:00 a.m. led by City Councilor Bill Bestpitch.


Click for more information about the November 9th Veterans Plaza Dedication.

Veterans Day, November 9, 2015

Dedication of Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery, November 9, 2015

Every veteran deserves to be properly honored with dignity and respect. We recognize the sacrifice our soldiers and their families have made for our great nation. Come and honor our heroes.

You are invited to the dedication of the Veterans Plaza at Fair View Cemetery.

Veterans Day Dedication, 2015November 9, 2015, 11:00 AM
3300 Melrose Avenue
Roanoke, Virginia 24017
Click here for directions >>

Light refreshments to follow.

Roanoke City Council member Bill Bestpitch will be in attendance.

Other invited guests include: Roanoke mayor David Bowers, the Disabled American Veterans, and the William Fleming High School ROTC.