Visitors' pass needed to access RIA National Cemetery

            Dad's gravestone at National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Ill.

When my father, a veteran of World War II, passed away unexpectedly in 1989 he failed to give his five children any idea of where he'd like to be buried.


My husband, Steve, suggested National Cemetery at the Rock Island Arsenal. It was the perfect choice for Dad, who was proud of his service in the U.S. Navy. He retired as a lieutenant commander, having had served in the Navy's intelligence services during the actual war years.

On a recent Sunday my brother and his family came to visit us, and we all decided to visit Dad's grave. I was at the cemetery in May, but that was part of an organized bus trip. In May, we were told to have our driver's licenses ready in case the guards would need identification, but it turned out no one checked the bus riders.

That was not the case when I had my brother, sister-in-law and nephew in the car. They are from St. Louis, and according to the U.S. Government, residents of Missouri, Minnesota and Washington states have non-compliant driver's licenses. As of Dec. 31, 2015, those folks needed additional identification to access federal properties like the Arsenal, including the cemetery.

That might be what triggered the guard at the Moline gate to say we first needed to procure visitors' badges. All those involved in this rather lengthy process were gracious and kind but it was unusual to us Iowans.

Ironically, the National Cemetery is a stone's throw from the Moline gate. I do understand the need for enhanced security in this era, but .... Really? To a cemetery? Complete with background checks?

We, U.S. taxpayers, pay for that entire Arsenal, now more than ever thanks to President Trump's defense spending budget.

Requiring all cemetery visitors to have a badge seems a bit much.

To see the Arsenal's requirements for visitors online: usagria.army.mil