Our mission is to support the maintenance, operation, and long-term preservation of Riverside National Cemetery by managing an endowment fund, organizing meaningful national holiday ceremonies, and advancing programs that honor the service and sacrifice of our veterans.

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of this organization is to support and enhance the maintenance, operation, and long-term sustainability of Riverside National Cemetery. We are committed to establishing and responsibly managing an endowment fund to preserve the dignity and beauty of the cemetery for generations to come. In addition, we plan and present meaningful ceremonies on national holidays and support programs and activities that honor the service and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans while strengthening the community’s connection to this sacred place.

The Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee (RNCSC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting and enhancing Riverside National Cemetery. Its mission is to help preserve the dignity, beauty, and operational excellence of the cemetery while providing meaningful activities and programs for veterans, their families, friends, and the broader community.

The Support Committee partners with the community to raise funds for the creation of memorials and monuments, the purchase of needed equipment, and the support of special events and services that honor those laid to rest. Through these efforts, RNCSC proudly assists the dedicated staff who serve at Riverside National Cemetery and helps ensure the cemetery remains a place of honor, remembrance, and respect.

Riverside National Cemetery

The Riverside National Cemetery is the largest and busiest cemetery managed by the National Cemetery Administration.

>It was established in 1976 through the transfer of 740 acres from March Air Force Base which during World War II was called the US Army’s Camp William G . Haan. 

>The cemetery was dedicated and opened for burials November 11th, 1978.The first person interned at RNC was the Medal of Honor recipient SSGT Ysmael R. Villegas.

>RNC is currently 1253 acres after its most recent acquisition of adjacent parcels of land.

MEMORIAL CARETAKERS

The Riverside National Cemetery’s Memorials are erected in remembrance of the veterans who have sacrificed for the United States of America. The Memorials call to attention the rich history of our great nation and all those that stepped forward to serve and at times heroically sacrifice so we may live under the blanket of freedom they have provided. The Riverside National Cemetery Memorials are designed to stand the test of time, but they periodically need some maintenance.

The Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee (RNCSC) stands to watch as volunteer Memorial Caretakers of the Riverside National Cemetery. If any memorial runs into disrepair or needs general maintenance, the RNCSC will identify who can repair it, what the cost will be and any impacts to the memorial that may be caused while being repaired.

The RNCSC formally writes a letter to the director of the Riverside National Cemetery asking permission to begin repairs on a memorial. Once approval is given by the director, the RNCSC in coordination with a repair service handles all of the expenditures as a Non-profit organization who provides a variety of services for the Riverside National Cemetery.

Providing funding for the special projects of repairing Riverside National Cemetery’s Memorials is the job of the volunteer Memorial Caretakers, while the Cemetery’s staff provides routine maintenance such as cleaning the memorials on a day to day basis.

Projects that have been undertaken by the RNCSC Memorial Caretakers have included such things as the repair of the Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Memorial. The Memorial was falling into disrepair as some of the original material used to create the memorial was deteriorating The Memorial Caretakers of the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee raised funds to have the memorial repaired and have the materials upgraded.

The RNCSC Memorial Caretakers also updated and repaired the glorious fountains located on the Riverside National Cemetery property, at the suggestion of the director.  The Memorial Caretakers gladly undertook the project of repairing and restoring the fountains as they added to the beautification of the Riverside National Cemetery.

“Every project we do is about doing a full turn-key so the staff (Riverside National Cemetery’s staff) doesn’t have to shoulder as much,” said Paul Atkins, Chairman of the Riverside National Cemetery Support Committee. “Everything we do is thanks to someone in the community stepping forward to help us take care of these great memorials honoring America’s heroes.”