VA national cemetery
National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Location
2929 E Pinnacle Peak Road
Phoenix, AZ 85024
Visiting
- Address
- 2929 E Pinnacle Peak Road, Phoenix, AZ 85024
- Phone
- 480-513-3600
- Visiting hours
- Open daily from sunrise to sunset.
- Office hours
- Monday thru Friday 8:00 a.m. (MT) - 4:30 p.m. (MT). Closed federal holidays except Memorial Day.
- Time zone
- Mountain Standard (no daylight saving) Time
- Burial space
- Open
- Accessibility
- Not yet verified
- The cemetery’s Facebook page
- Official page
- cem.va.gov
Flowers and grounds policy, from the VA
Flowers: At the time of your loved one's burial, a maximum of four fresh floral arrangements or sprays may accompany the casket or urn. These will be placed on the completed grave after the interment. Items will be removed from gravesites when they appear withered, faded, unsafe, offensive, encroach on adjacent gravesites, or are otherwise unsightly.
Fresh-cut and artificial flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Arrangements may not be more than 24" high. They cannot cover the marker or encroach upon adjacent gravesites.
Flower Containers: Temporary plastic containers are provided by the cemetery. You will find these containers throughout the cemetery. No more than two vases are permitted on a grave. Only one vase is allowed per niche at a columbarium.
Flower containers should be centered at the top portion of the marker. Note: The hole in the concrete marker base is not for flower vases. It is only part of the design.
Permanent containers are prohibited. Non-government-supplied floral containers (e.g., pots, planters, vases, etc.) will be removed when discovered. They will then be disposed of. Permanent plants of any type are not permitted on graves and will be removed. The cemetery is not responsible for loss, theft, or damage to in-ground vases.
Special Occasions: Beginning December 1, you may place one of the following items at a gravesite: Christmas wreath, Christmas floral blankets (maximum size is 2ft by 3ft), or flowers. Lighted displays are not permitted.
Special Guidelines: All items placed on gravesites will be removed and discarded by cemetery staff starting:
- The second Monday in January and the second Monday in July.
Prohibited Items: To preserve the dignity of the cemetery, items such as balloons, pinwheels, shepherd's hooks, wind chimes, lights, statues, stuffed animals, memorabilia or commemorative items, alcohol and tobacco products, or similar products will be removed. Offensive items or those deemed inconsistent with the cemetery setting will also be removed.
To maintain a safe environment for visitors and staff, all breakable items such as vigil lights, glass vases, decorative glass, and plastic items, will be removed. Any hazardous items, such as candles, explosives, weapons, or ammunition, will be removed.
To preserve the appearance and facilitate maintenance of markers and niche covers, families and loved ones are not permitted to secure floral or other items to markers or columbaria. Nothing can be placed at a grave that will obscure or obstruct a visitor's ability to view their loved one's gravesite.
As a courtesy, cemetery personnel will remove personal items, prohibited items, and artificial floral arrangements that are not in good condition and place them on a shelf in the maintenance compound for 30 days before disposal.
Flags and flag holders: Only one U.S. 8" by 12" cemetery marking flag is permitted on graves. On Memorial Day weekend, the cemetery, with assistance from volunteer organizations, places a flag on each gravesite. Flags are removed after the holiday. The Avenue of Flags, consisting of donated casket flags, is displayed on Veterans Day and other special occasions instead of individual gravesite flags.
Weapons Policy
VA regulations 38 CFR 1.218 prohibit the carrying of firearms (either openly or concealed), explosives or other dangerous or deadly weapons while on VA property, except for official purposes, such as military funeral honors.
Possession of firearms on any property under the charge and control of VA is prohibited. Offenders may be subject to a fine, removal from the premises, or arrest.
General information, from the VA
Military Funeral Honors
The Military Funeral Honors Program establishes procedures for requesting and rendering military funeral honors. By law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of at least two members of the armed forces. Funeral home directors or a personal representative should request military funeral honors on behalf of the Veteran's family. VA suggests that you contact the military service branches at least 48 to 72 hours before a scheduled service to arrange for military funeral honors.
To preserve the dignity, beauty, and serenity of National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, we ask you to please observe the following restrictions:
- Avoid any form of sport or recreation, to include, but not limited to, jogging, bicycling, picnicking, or skating
- Drinking of alcoholic beverages
- Destruction of Government property to include, but not limited to markers, trees, shrubs, and plantings
- Littering of the grounds
- Pets in burial areas
- Public gathering of a partisan nature
- Driver education activities
- Private maintenance of gravesites
- Any demeaning or boisterous action
Directions from Nearest Airport
Take Interstate 10 West to State Route 51 North. Follow State Route 51 to Loop 101 West. Following Loop 101 West to Cave Creek Road. Turn North on Cave Creek Road to Pinnacle Peak Road, turn right on East Pinnacle Peak Road and go ¼ mile. Cemetery will be on the right.
Pay your respects
Visitors to veterans’ graves sometimes leave a coin on the headstone to show that someone came. You can leave a symbolic coin here. No money is involved, and nothing about you is published. About the custom, and what each coin is said to mean.
History
Reproduced from the VA National Cemetery Administration’s page for this cemetery, retrieved November 11, 2026. This is the VA’s text, unedited; it is not independent research by this site.
A state law was passed in 1976 and signed by Governor Raul Castro authorizing the development of a state veterans cemetery. The cemetery was dedicated December 9, 1978 and the first burial occurred on March 19, 1979. The cemetery was officially transferred to the VA on April 1, 1989. The cemetery consists of 225 acres and will not reach capacity until well after the year 2030. The Department of Veterans Affairs spent over $13 million for improvements in 1999. The project included three new committal shelters, maintenance building, visitor center, founders plaza, assembly area, columbaria, and extensive landscaping.
Monuments and Memorials
As of 2003, there were 18 monuments and memorials at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona, most arranged along a memorial walkway. Two unique memorials at the cemetery are the Eternal Flame monument, which is pyramidal in shape, and the World War II Submarine Torpedo monument.
Notable burials and memorials
Reproduced from the VA’s page for this cemetery, retrieved November 11, 2026, including Medal of Honor recipients where the VA lists them. Links lead to the VA’s own records. To correct an entry, contact the VA; to tell us our copy is out of date, report it.
Nathan E. Cook, the last survivor of the Spanish American War, died in 1992 at the age of 106.
Sidney Bedoni, a native of Arizona, enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on October 20, 1942. PFC Bedoni was a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II and served until January 18, 1946. Bedoni reenlisted in the Army on April 21, 1948, and fought during the Korean War. In 1988, Bedoni was promoted to sergeant major for his service. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. Bedoni, the last surviving Navajo Code Talker paratrooper, died June 8, 2014 (Section 55, Site 3611).
Richard Dooley, a native of Arizona, enlisted in the U.S. Marines on October 10, 1942. Cpl. Doolie was a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II and served until December 26, 1945. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. Dooley's honor was posthumous. He died December 24, 1982 (Section 12, Site 2232).
Arthur J. Hubbard Sr., a Navajo and native of Arizona, served in the U.S. Marine Corps (1939–1945). Pvt. Hubbard instructed Code Talkers during World War II. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. Hubbard became the first American Indian elected as an Arizona state senator (1972–1984) and he contributed to the establishment of the Navajo Nations first college, Diné College. He died February 7, 2014 (Section 55, Site 3882).
Joe Kellwood, a native of Arizona, was born in 1921 and enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in October 1942. PVT First Class Kellwood served in World War II with the 1st Marine Division in the Pacific Theater. Kellwood saw action at Cape Gloucester, Peleliu and Okinawa, and he continued as a Navajo Code Talker through the war's end. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented with the Congressional Silver Medal. After the war Kellwood returned to Arizona where he was active in veterans' organizations. He died September 5, 2016 (Section 52, Site 161).
Robert "Bert" Tallsalt of Arizona enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps on October 27, 1944, and served as a Navajo Code Talker in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After returning home, Tallsalt took a leadership role in the community, as a councilman representing Navajo Mountain, and as an educator. He received his degree from Utah State University and taught at the Intermountain School in Brigham City, Utah. In 2001, the Navajo Code Talkers were presented the Congressional Silver Medal. Tallsalt was active in the Navajo Code Talkers Association until his death in 2003 (Section 18D, Site 2662).
Nearby veterans cemeteries
Sources
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. Find a Cemetery: all national cemeteries, and each cemetery’s own page. U.S. government work (public domain). Retrieved November 11, 2026. Used for: name, address, phone and burial-space status, hours, policies, history and notable burials.
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona (official cemetery page). Retrieved November 11, 2026.
- Map position: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, National Cemetery Administration. VA National Cemetery Sites (dataset).