MINNESOTA

The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery – Little Falls is the oldest state veterans cemetery in Minnesota, located about seven miles north of Little Falls near Camp Ripley. Opened in 1994, it was the first of Minnesota’s state veterans cemeteries and helped establish a system later expanded to other parts of the state.

It is a burial ground dedicated exclusively to U.S. military veterans and eligible family members. Designed in a traditional military style, the cemetery features uniform headstones, orderly sections, and carefully maintained grounds that emphasize dignity, equality, and respect for service.

Rather than focusing on notable individuals, the cemetery is significant for the collective stories of thousands of veterans from all branches and conflicts, including World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and more recent wars. Some interred received military honors such as the Purple Heart or Bronze Star, but all are treated equally in recognition of their service.

Veterans are buried at no cost, and the cemetery is maintained in perpetuity by the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. It also hosts major annual ceremonies like Memorial Day and Wreaths Across America.

Its importance lies in being Minnesota’s first state veterans cemetery and providing a dignified, accessible resting place for veterans closer to home, serving as a lasting collective memorial to military service rather than individual fame.