Thinking Out Loud: Phase I- the dedication of Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Morovis.

We are proud of a particular project in which we worked as QC management because it serves a great purpose, the burial of our veterans and their loved ones.

We are proud of a particular project in which we worked as QC management because it serves a great purpose, the burial of our veterans and their loved ones.

It was a hard job. San Diego Project Management, PSC worked during the whole pandemic to complete the first stage of this cemetery on time.

The new National Cemetery in Morovis, Puerto Rico, is a 247-acre terrain. But the Phase I consist of the development of approximately 9,300 gravesites for casket interment, 3,000 columbarium niches, 1,750 in-ground sites for cremated remains for a total of 14,050 internment sites. It also includes memorial walls to commemorate those whose remains are not available for interment. To optimize the use of available land for gravesites, the project installed pre-placed concrete crypts. The first Phase completed an early turnover burial area, with temporary administrative and maintenance facilities, temporary committal shelter, minimal roads, and utilities. It is developing approximately 50 acres to provide for about ten years of burial capacity. In addition to the gravesite development, the construction includes access roads and entrance area, flag/assembly area, committal shelters, an administration building/public information center with electronic gravesite locator and public restrooms, maintenance complex, honor guard building, memorial walkway/donations area, utilities, signage, site furnishings, fencing, and irrigation system. 

Last Saturday, December 12, 2020, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) today dedicated a new 247-acre national cemetery in Morovis, Puerto Rico. It is the 153rd VA National Cemetery

VA Secretary Robert Wilkie and  Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves unveiled the dedication plaque for Morovis National Cemetery. 

"The Veterans of Puerto Rico are second to none in their record of service, sacrifice, and heroism," said Wilkie. "It is most fitting we should end the year dedicating the newest shrine to our Veterans here on the Island of Enchantment."[i] 

This new Morovis National Cemetery is being constructed as a replacement cemetery for Puerto Rico National Cemetery in Bayamón, which was dedicated in 1949.

Due to the pandemic, this was a closed dedication; that's why all pictures taken during the ceremony belongs to the National Cemetery Administration.

[i] https://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=5582