Local Teen Leads Veterans Legacy Memorial Project at Columbia Gardens

At just 14 years old, Jaxon Lamothe is making a lasting impact by honoring the veterans buried at Columbia Gardens Cemetery. For his Eagle Scout project, Jaxon is documenting our veterans’ graves for inclusion in the Veterans Legacy Memorial (VLM). VLM is a national online database that recognizes those who served in the U.S. Armed Forces with dedicated memorial pages.

With the support of his family, fellow Scouts from Troop 164 and other local troops, and military-affiliated volunteers, Jaxon has already identified over 800 veterans buried in the cemetery. Using an app on their phones with a camera that records GPS coordinates, his team photographs each headstone and documents details such as the veteran’s name, birth/death dates, military rank, branch of service, campaigns, and gravesite location, along with any other significant information they can obtain. This information is submitted to the VLM to preserve these veterans’ legacies.

When the project is complete, Jaxon will become just the third person in the world to complete a Veterans Legacy Memorial mapping project.

For Jaxon, whose family has strong military ties, the project is especially meaningful. “I feel that I’m making a difference by spreading awareness about the VLM and helping veterans be remembered for their service,” he says.

Thank you, Jaxon, for your dedication to preserving history and ensuring our veterans are never forgotten.

What’s New at Columbia Gardens?

A brand-new columbarium has arrived! With more families choosing cremation, we’re expanding to meet their needs. Our newest addition to the Cremation Garden is a beautifully crafted, 16-unit columbarium. It’s a lovely enhancement to the garden’s natural landscape and offers families a serene place of remembrance.

To reserve space, call 703.527.1235 or email info@columbiagardenscemetery.org.

New Road Now Open

With the opening of our beautiful, new road, visitors may now enter through the Arlington Boulevard entrance. This major project was more than three years in the making, from permitting and planning to construction. At every stage, our team worked closely with Arlington County to be in compliance with Stormwater Management guidelines, including implementing soil and erosion controls during the construction process. The road connects the new Garden of Reflection section with the heritage sections of the cemetery. When completed this fall, the five-acre Garden will feature green burial sites, cremation niches and traditional burial plots.

Daun Thomas Frankland named 1st Vice President of Virginia Cemetery Association

“My involvement with VCA is incredibly rewarding, offering the opportunity to engage with members across the state, share challenges, learn from others, and turn those insights into action,” Frankland says.

To read press release, click here.

Se Habla Español / We Speak Spanish

Conoce a Mayrene Rivera. Mayrene llegó a los EE.UU. hace 12 años desde El Salvador y habla español con fluidez. Desde 2022, ha sido un valioso miembro del equipo de la oficina de Columbia Gardens, proporcionando servicios de traducción para nuestros clientes de habla hispana. “La pérdida de un ser querido es un momento muy emotivo y me hace sentir bien poder explicarles los servicios del cementerio en su lengua materna. El poder conversar en español hace que nuestros clientes hispanohablantes se sientan más cómodos con el cementerio, y se sienten conectados conmigo porque hablo su idioma. Siempre estoy aquí y dispuesta a ayudar,” dice Mayrene. Para concertar una cita con Mayrene, llame al número 703.527.1235.

[Translation]: Meet Mayrene Rivera! Mayrene came to the U.S. 12 years ago from El Salvador and is fluent in Spanish. Since 2022, she has been a valued member of the Columbia Gardens office team, providing translation services for our Spanish-speaking clients. “This is a very emotional time for them and it makes me feel good to be able to explain the cemetery’s services in their native language. It makes our Spanish-speaking clients feel more comfortable with the cemetery — and they feel connected with me since I speak their language. I’m always here and ready to help,” says Mayrene. To make an appointment with Mayrene, call 703.527.1235.

VIRTUAL FUNERAL SERVICES ARE NOW AVAILABLE

A virtual gathering helps bring family and friends together in a time of need. Columbia Gardens Cemetery now offers virtual “Zoom” video for burial and cremation services, when distance or other circumstances are keeping people apart. Crystal clear video and audio can be shared with hundreds of people, as they come together to celebrate the life of a loved one. For details, call our office at 703.527.1235.