50+ Lifestyles

New Security Protocols at National Cemetery

By David W. Deuth, CFSP
President, Weerts Funeral Home

Not unlike other cemeteries, the National Cemetery at Rock Island Arsenal is a sacred place.

Here rest soldiers and seamen and airmen of each gender, from every rank and every branch of service and from every walk of life. Some served during time of war and conflict; others in time of peace. Some served stateside, others overseas. Each has dutifully served our country. Some have paid the highest price.

From the Civil War and every war and conflict since, our patriots, our freedom fighters, our heroes and their eligible dependents are buried here. It is, indeed, a sacred place.

Because the National Cemetery lies within the grounds of an official government military installation, it comes as no surprise that special security protocols are enforced. These protocols were heightened following the 9/11 attacks with, among other things, the addition of guard gates at the island entrances. The recent implementation of additional security protocols will now affect anyone visiting the island for any reason – including those who wish to visit the National Cemetery.

As of December 1, 2015, any visitor 18 years of age or older coming on to the island – for any purpose – must obtain a Visitor’s Pass in order to proceed past the guard gate at any Arsenal entrance. Only those with government-issued Common Access Cards or approved Department of Defense ID cards do not require this pass.

The Visitor’s Pass must be applied for at the Visitor’s Center at the Moline Gate entrance. Turn right just before the guard gate and proceed to the second building on your left. Once inside, take a number, fill out the required information on the provided form and wait until your number is called. Depending upon how many people are ahead of you in line, this could take a little while, so be sure to allow plenty of time to obtain your pass. Those who visit the cemetery frequently may receive a pass valid for up to one year.

Once your number is called, you will present your personal information and valid driver’s license to Security Personnel for review, recording and verification. If approved, your photo will be taken, and you will receive a Visitor’s Pass before you leave the Visitor’s Center. You may then go
directly to the guard gate with your newly obtained Visitor’s Pass and your Driver’s License to gain access to visit the National Cemetery. On future visits, simply present your Visitor’s Pass and Driver’s License to the Security Personnel at the guard gate.

It is important to note that properly flagged vehicles in active funeral processions led by a funeral home do not need to present ID when entering Arsenal Island in procession – although Security Personnel do reserve the right to stop any vehicle at any time to request identification and/or credentials or to search your vehicle upon entering the island.

Moreover, it is not advisable (or even logistically feasible) for individual vehicles to attempt to meet a funeral procession at the entrance to Arsenal Island. Any vehicle not in the funeral procession will be required to stop at the guard gate and present a Visitor’s Pass and Driver’s License in order to enter the National Cemetery….and will be directed to the Visitor’s Center or back off the island if they do not have one.

Likewise, when the committal service is complete at the cemetery, vehicles from the procession MUST exit via the Moline gate. This means that, under present protocols, a luncheon/reception at the Arsenal Golf Club following burial at National Cemetery will require all vehicles to literally exit the island via the Moline gate and turn right around and re-enter the island at the same guard gate in order to proceed to the Arsenal Golf Club. Those who do not have a Visitor’s Pass will be directed to the Visitor’s Center to obtain one or, failing that, will not be permitted back onto the island.

If you have other questions about Rock Island Arsenal security protocols, you may ask the Security Personnel at the Visitor’s Center or call them at (309) 782-0551.

Yes, the National Cemetery is a sacred place. And good security will help to keep it that way.

Remember Well.

David W. Deuth, CFSP, is a Licensed Funeral Director and is the owner of Weerts Funeral Home in Davenport and RiverBend Cremation and Quad Cities Pet Cremation in Bettendorf. He can be reached at (563) 424.7055 or by email at Dave@WeertsFH.com.