FORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Hundreds of people gathered at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Monday morning to honor the men and women who lost their lives defending the nation.

On Memorial Day, the rows of gravesites at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery will be accompanied with U.S. flags, a tradition that was briefly put on pause when the COVID-19 pandemic hit.

The Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will hold a memorial service for unaccompanied veterans on Wednesday morning.

Hundreds of people descended on Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery to remember the nation’s service members on Veterans Day. Some 170,000 people are interred at the cemetery, making up a sea of grave markers stretching as far as the eye can see. In the midst of it all, dozens of people gathered at the cemetery’s pavilion Thursday for the first Veterans Day ceremony there since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It is important for all of us to pass on our experiences to the next generation,” West said. So veterans, tell your stories.”The ceremony was highlighted by music played by “Fort Sam’s Own” 323rd Army Band and the Texas Children’s Choir, along with three volleys of rifle fire followed by the sounding of taps.

The Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio will honor veterans with a ceremony on Thursday.

The sights and sounds of the American Revolution filled the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Sunday morning.

On Memorial Day, we remember the lives of servicemen and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but also the life of a local man who witnessed some of the worst loss of life.

Two German WWII graves bearing Nazi swastikas have been removed from Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery and replaced with new headstones. KENS-TVAfter learning about the gravestones last May, the foundation demanded that Veterans Affairs Secretary Robert Wilke order them removed. The group also wanted Wilke to make "an immediate and heartfelt apology to all United States veterans and their families." But members of Congress, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz and Reps. Will Hurd of San Antonio and Kay Granger of Fort Worth, responded by demanding the removal of the gravestones. It's unclear if a third headstone that also bears Nazi symbols in Fort Douglas Post Cemetery in Utah has also been removed.

SAN ANTONIO A soldier from San Antonio who was killed in a rollover vehicle crash in Afghanistan was laid to rest on Wednesday. Vincent Sebastian Ibarria, 21, on Wednesday morning. The Department of Defense says Ibarria was killed when his vehicle rolled over in a crash on July 3, in Farah, Afghanistan. Ibarrias remains were transported through Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on July 17. Related: He will be severely missed,: Division mourns loss of soldier from San Antonio killed in rollover crash

SAN ANTONIO – Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will resume committal services for families who are interring their loved ones beginning Tuesday. “We are pleased to resume committal services and military funeral honors at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery,” said Cemetery Director Aubrey David. In keeping with federal, state and local guidance, committal and memorial services at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will be limited to 10 family members and guests at the service. Families may also contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office or the cemetery directly to schedule a memorial service after June 29. To make burial arrangements or schedule a memorial service at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery or any VA national cemetery, contact the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

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SAN ANTONIO – The Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery honored servicemen and women Wednesday morning with a private wreath-laying ceremony. WATCH: Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery holds Memorial Day wreath-laying ceremonyWednesday’s ceremony was closed to the public due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to a news release. The traditional public Memorial Day ceremony has been canceled this year. Memorial Day public ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery will not be held this yearInstead, veterans, servicemembers, family members and the community were encouraged to view Wednesday’s ceremony via local media. “This year, by necessity, will be different from past Memorial Day observances,” said Aubrey David, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery director.

SAN ANTONIO Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the traditional Memorial Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery has been canceled this year. The cemetery will also look different as the cemetery is also prohibiting groups from placing miniature flags at grave sites as in years past. Instead, a private wreath-laying ceremony will be held Wednesday, May 20, according to a news release. This year, by necessity, will be different from past Memorial Day observances, said Aubrey David, Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery director. Veterans, servicemembers, family members, and the community are encouraged to view Wednesdays ceremony through local media coverage.

SAN ANTONIO – A graveside service was held Saturday morning at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, honoring the life of Sgt. 1st Class Javier J. Gutierrez, 28, of San Antonio. Sergeant from San Antonio killed in Afghanistan attack, per U.S. Army officialsSgt. Gutierrez, who went by his middle name Jaguar, was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group out of Elgin Air Force Base in Florida. During his time serving in the Army, officials say Gutierrez received several awards, which included the Army Commendation Medal (1OLC); Army Achievement Medal; Good Conduct Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Iraq Campaign Medal; Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; Non-commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 2); Army Service Ribbon; Expert Infantry and Parachutist Badges; and the Special Forces Tab.

Veterans Day marked at Fort Sam Houston National CemeteryPublished: November 11, 2019, 12:40 pmThe Department of Veterans Affairs paid tribute Monday for the service and sacrifice of veterans at a Veterans Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

SAN ANTONIO – The Department of Veterans Affairs paid tribute Monday for the service and sacrifice of veterans at a Veterans Day ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The ceremony included remarks by Dr. Kat Strauss, Air Force, LTC (Ret.). Elected officials, including U.S. Rep. Will Hurd, attended the event. The master of ceremony was Tom Earnest. The Texas Children’s Choir, the MacArthur High School AJROTC and the Beethoven Band performed at the ceremony.

A 1979 graduate of Judson High School who was killed at the Pentagon during the 9-11 attacks in 2001 was honored Wednesday with a memorial ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. The life and sacrifice of Lt. Col. Karen Wagner was remembered in a special ceremony that included a traditional wreath laying, remembrances of her contributions as a student and soldier and the playing of taps. Wagner High School was named in her honor. More on 9/11 anniversary on KSAT.com:Memorial climb at Tower of the Americas honors fallen 9/11 heroesNew Life Christian Ministry honors 9/11 victims18 years later, experts are still working to identify remains of 9/11 victimsCopyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

A 1979 graduate of Judson High School who was killed at the Pentagon during the 9-11 attacks in 2001 was honored Wednesday with a memorial ceremony at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Copyright 2019 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

SAN ANTONIO - A World War II soldier from San Antonio who was killed in action in 1945 will be buried Friday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. Penn Franks Jr. was killed Feb. 10, 1945, during a battle in the northern Apennine Mountains near Strettoia, Italy. His remains were recovered in August 1945 but were declared non-identifiable due to the lack of sufficient identifying data, according to the Department of Defense. Franks will be buried Friday at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. According to the Department of Defense, there are 72,682 service members still unaccounted for from World War II.

Simon L. Flores Jr.Simon Lopez Flores Jr., 81, of Uvalde died on July 2, 2019, at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio. A rosary will be recited tomorrow at 7 p.m. at Rushing Estes Knowles Mortuary in Uvalde. A funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Interment will follow on Thursday at 10 a.m. at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio. A complete obituary will appear in a future edition of the Uvalde Leader-News.

Under threatening rainy skies Monday morning, more than 100 people visited Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for a special Memorial Day ceremony. "The biggest reason was I have three boys, and I want them to grow up and appreciate Memorial Day and the sacrifices our veterans have made," Sherfy said. Sherfy said he was impressed by the size of the crowd on a day when there were ominous rain clouds. For one woman who came to the ceremony, this Memorial Day was extra special. "We have a memorial in our home for my father and we see it every day.