NORTH CAROLINA
Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery
The Western Carolina State Veterans Cemetery in Black Mountain, North Carolina, is a state-operated military cemetery dedicated to honoring U.S. veterans and their eligible family members. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it provides a peaceful and dignified final resting place with full military honors, including flag presentation and ceremonial recognition such as “Taps.” It serves veterans from multiple service eras and remains an active burial site, reflecting North Carolina’s strong commitment to honoring military service.
North Carolina has a deep military heritage centered around Fort Bragg near Fayetteville, which is home to the 82nd Airborne Division. This renowned airborne infantry division is known for its rapid deployment capability, parachute operations, and long history of service in major U.S. military operations. It has trained and deployed thousands of soldiers and remains one of the most recognized units in the U.S. Army.
Gary Robinson is a U.S. Army veteran who served with the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg in Fayetteville, North Carolina, as part of this long-standing airborne tradition and the state’s broader military legacy.
Cross Creek Cemetery
Cross Creek Cemetery is one of the oldest and most historically significant cemeteries in North Carolina, established in 1785 near the original Cross Creek settlement that became modern-day Fayetteville. Overlooking the creek from which the city took its name, the cemetery serves as both an active burial ground and a preserved historic site, with graves spanning more than two centuries of American history. Its oldest section is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, reflecting its importance as a cultural and historical landmark.
The cemetery is closely tied to major periods in U.S. history, particularly the Revolutionary and Civil War eras. It contains the remains of early settlers, veterans, and community leaders, as well as soldiers whose bodies were reinterred there after the Civil War. A defining feature of the site is the Confederate monument erected in 1868—the first of its kind in North Carolina—marking the cemetery’s connection to postwar memory and regional identity.
Among those buried at Cross Creek Cemetery are several notable figures. Robert Strange, who served in the U.S. Senate from 1836 to 1840, represents the cemetery’s ties to early national politics. James C. Dobbin, a key member of President Franklin Pierce’s cabinet, reflects its connection to federal leadership in the mid-19th century. Warren Winslow, a congressman and influential state figure, is also interred there. The cemetery additionally holds LaFayette McLaws, a Civil War general who served under Robert E. Lee in major campaigns including Gettysburg.
Today, Cross Creek Cemetery stands as both a memorial space and a historical archive, preserving the stories of Fayetteville’s early residents and prominent figures. Despite challenges such as flooding from Hurricane Florence in 2018, ongoing restoration efforts have maintained its integrity. The site remains an important destination for visitors interested in local heritage, genealogy, and the broader history of North Carolina.
Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery
Sandhills State Veterans Cemetery in Spring Lake, North Carolina, is a place of honor, remembrance, and reflection for the men and women who have served our nation. Established in 1997, the 55-acre cemetery is deeply connected to the military community surrounding Fort Bragg and the greater Fayetteville area.
The grounds have a quiet, dignified character that feels distinctly military. Broad open spaces, carefully maintained landscaping, mature trees, flags, and long rows of uniform markers create a powerful sense of order and continuity. The simplicity of the setting allows the stories represented by each grave to remain at the center.
Veterans from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Persian Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and other periods of American military history are laid to rest here, alongside eligible spouses and family members. Together, the thousands of graves form a remarkable record of generations of military service.
Among those interred is Corporal Rodolfo “Rudy” Hernández, a Korean War veteran and recipient of the Medal of Honor, the nation's highest military decoration for valor. Hernández served with the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team and was recognized for extraordinary heroism in Korea. After his military service, he made the Fayetteville area his home and dedicated part of his civilian life to helping fellow veterans.
The cemetery's committal shelter and bell tower provide a dignified setting for services and military honors, while the surrounding grounds offer families a peaceful place to remember those they have lost.
For visitors, Sandhills can evoke a powerful mix of quiet, solemnity, pride, and gratitude. Walking among the rows, it is easy to think beyond the names and wonder about the lives, families, experiences, and sacrifices behind each marker.
More than a cemetery, Sandhills is a place where service, sacrifice, memory, and history come together. Its peaceful landscape honors those who served while offering every visitor a moment to pause, reflect, and remember.
Sandhills is peaceful yet powerful—a place where the legacy of military service can be felt in every row, every name, and every quiet moment of remembrance.
Soil MixingSoil collected from veteran resting places throughout the state is respectfully combined into a single blended collection, symbolizing the unity of all who served from that state.
Vial & State StarSoil collected from veteran resting places throughout the state is respectfully combined into a single blended collection, symbolizing the unity of all who served from that state.
