Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery
Location
The Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery is located on Duell Road in the town of Saratoga, New York. The closest village is Schuylerville, part of the town of Saratoga. The postal address is Stillwater, New York. The National Cemetery is within a mile of Saratoga National Historical Park's battlefield unit.
History
Dedicated on July 9, 1999 as Saratoga National Cemetery, it was the 116th National Cemetery. It was renamed to Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery on January 24, 2002, in honor of Congressman Gerald B. H. Solomon, who was known for his support of veterans' causes, and who is interred there. During his tenure in the U.S. House of Representatives, he sponsored the legislation which created the Department of Veterans Affairs and secured approval for the creation of the national cemetery now named for him. He served in Congress from 1979 to 1999, and was Chairman of the powerful Rules Committee in the House at the time of his retirement. As of the end of 2005, only the first 60 acres (240,000 m) were developed for interments.
Notable monuments
- The ship’s bell from the USS Saratoga.
- A pyramidal memorial made of granite, erected in 2002 and dedicated to Congressman Gerald B.H. Solomon.
Notable interments
- Medal of Honor recipients
- Sergeant Thomas A. Baker, for action in World War II
- Technical Sergeant Peter J. Dalessondro, for action in World War II
- Specialist Four Raymond R. Wright, for action in the Vietnam War
- Others
- Joseph E. Persico, author
- Gerald B. H. Solomon, US Congressman
- Jack Briggs, actor