Source: National Cemetery Administration · cem.va.gov · scraped May 2026
History of Alexandria National Cemetery
Alexandria National Cemetery is located in the community of Pineville, Rapides Parish, LA. In 1804, under the new U.S. Territorial government, Rapides became one of the 12 parishes into which the Territory of New Orleans (later the State of Louisiana) was divided and, by 1805, a crude settlement had developed at the site below the rapids named Alexandria. When Abraham Lincoln was elected president in fall 1860, the people of Alexandria and Pineville saw the handwriting on the wall. On January 26, 1861, the citizens of Louisiana voted for secession and swiftly committed to joining the Confederacy.
Ships appeared at the mouth of the Mississippi River determined to go upriver and capture New Orleans in May 1862. Within a year, Rapides Parish citizens were shocked when they realized their homes, the roads leading through Alexandria parish and other crossroads villages of the parish might become part of the battlefield.
Between 1863 and early 1864, the area was invaded twice. Plantations were laid waste, houses burned, fences torn down, trees cut for firewood and sugarhouses and barns burned. Both armies lived off the land, taking away food, livestock and poultry. The final destruction of Alexandria occurred on May 13, 1864, when Alexandria was burned to the ground by Union troops.
After the war, federal troops moved into the region to begin the process of reconstruction. In 1867, an eight-acre plot was appropriated from local resident François Poussin for the establishment of a national cemetery for deceased Union soldiers who died in the region. Approximately a decade later, a suit was filed by Poussin's heirs and the United States was ordered to pay his descendants $1,200 for title to the property. Bodies were removed from the surrounding towns such as Mount Pleasant, Cheneyville and Yellow Bayou and reinterred in Alexandria. Later, remains from Fort Brown, TX, were reinterred at the national cemetery when the fort was no longer deemed necessary. Alexandria (LA) National Cemetery was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
Monuments and Memorials The 1911 granite Memorial to Unknowns marks the burial of 1,537 unknown Federal soldiers who were removed from the Brownsville National Cemetery and re-interred at Alexandria National Cemetery.
Another 1911 granite Memorial to Unknowns marks the burial of 16 unknown federal soldiers who were removed from the Fort Ringgold Post Cemetery (Texas) and re-interred at Alexandria National Cemetery.
The remains of 25 unknown soldiers from post and private cemeteries near Fort Jessup, LA, are also interred in one grave and it's marked with a white government marker.
Notable interments
Veterans, public figures, and citizens of note buried at Alexandria National Cemetery, listed by section and site as recorded by the National Cemetery Administration.
Other Burials There are 57 Buffalo Soldiers interred at the Alexandria National Cemetery.
They represent the following units: 24th Infantry, 10th Calvary, and the 9th Calvary and are interred in Sections A, B, C, and R.
Former congressman Gillis W.
Long, who died on January 19, 1985, is buried in Section B, Site 1610-B.
Major Jacob Brown, for whom Fort Brown, TX, was named, is buried in Section B, Site 1.
He died from wounds received during a skirmish with Mexican soldiers in 1846.
Roscoe Monroe Merrick was born in December 1928 in Kansas, shortly after his father died; as a teen he was adopted by his stepfather and wrestled in high school.
Seaman Second Class Brumbaugh joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and served aboard the USS Nereus in 1946–1947. After his tour, Brumbaugh returned to wrestling as a professional. Promotors invited him to Tennessee where he pinned his biggest opponent – segregation. Brumbaugh, known as "Sputnik Monroe," used his popularity to force integration of sporting events in Memphis's Ellis Auditorium. Outside the ring, Brumbaugh was arrested for interracial socializing on Beale Street; undeterred, he chose black attorney Russell Sugarman to represent him. In the 1970s, he and a black wrestling partner introduced tag team showmanship to Memphis and the duo confronted racial tension through their wrestling performances. Brumbaugh died November 3, 2006, and is buried at Alexandria National Cemetery .
Section C, Site 77C
Texas-born Charles S.
Stroup enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 and served during World War I. Private First Class Stroup completed his tour in March 1919. He married later that year and the couple had two children in the 1920s. Stroup supported his family as a watchmaker. After his wife's death in 1929, the young widower returned to his parents' house in Greenville, TX. By 1942, Stroup was employed by the Quartermaster Corps in San Antonio as a civilian patrolman at Fort Sam Houston. Stroup then embarked on a career as a superintendent of national cemeteries: from 1946 to 1962, he oversaw the properties at Port Hudson (LA), Alexandria (LA), and Fort Leavenworth (KS). Stroup died July 15, 1965, and is buried in Alexandria (LA) National Cemetery .
Section E, Site 27
Eligibility for burial at Alexandria National Cemetery
Planning ahead for a Veteran's or loved-one's final resting place can eliminate unnecessary delays and reduce stress on a family at a difficult time.
Request eligibility status for:
Veteran or servicemember Spouse Dependent family member Apply online »
Burial in a VA national cemetery is open to all members of the armed forces who have met a minimum active duty service requirement and were discharged under conditions other than dishonorable.
Directions
From Esler Regional Airport sign, take Highway 28 west approximately 10 miles. Go under the Alexandria Expressway and get in the left turn lane. Take the ramp onto the Alexandria Expressway and from the expressway take the first exit on the right staying in the right lane. Turn right at the stop sign onto Melrose Street. Follow Melrose over the railroad tracks and turn right at red light onto Shamrock Street. Take Shamrock approximately three blocks to the cemetery. The cemetery is on the right.
Floral and grounds policy
Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.
Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial will be placed on the completed grave. They will be removed when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations such as mowing.
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.
Education and visiting programs
More than half of VA's national cemeteries originated with the Civil War and many are closed to some burials. Other sites were established to serve World War veterans and they continue to expand. Historic themes related with NCA's cemeteries and soldiers' lots vary, but visitors should understand "Why is it here?" NCA began by installing interpretive signs, or waysides, at more than 100 properties to observe the Civil War Sesquicentennial (2011–2015). Please follow the links below to see the interpretive signs for Alexandria National Cemetery.
A National Cemetery System Alexandria National Cemetery Visit the Veterans Legacy Program and NCA History Program for additional information. Thank you for your interest.
Nearest cemeteries
The three closest veteran cemeteries to Alexandria National Cemetery (by straight-line distance):
- Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery — Leesville, LA (50 mi · open)
- Natchez National Cemetery — Natchez, MS (64 mi · open)
- Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery — Jennings, LA (75 mi · open)
Nearby veteran-friendly funeral homes
The following funeral homes within a 50-mile radius of Alexandria National Cemetery have demonstrated a commitment to serving veterans through specialized services, VA benefits coordination, or dedicated honors details.
Hixson Brothers LLC is a premier funeral home located at 701 Jackson Street in Alexandria, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, visitation rooms, and arrangement office. Professional offerings include funeral services, cremation services, and pre-planning, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,670. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,085, while direct cremation is available from $3,670.
Kramer Funeral Home is a premier funeral home located at 1924 Highway 1 in Marksville, LA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Professional offerings include funeral services, burial, and cremation, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $3,400. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $5,705, while direct cremation is available from $3,400. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Catholic, Baptist, Lutheran, and Methodist.
Kramer Funeral Home of Colfax is a premier funeral home located at 128 Second St. in Colfax, LA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones. Direct cremation services are provided starting at $3,400.
Kramer Funeral Home of Fifth Ward is a premier funeral home located at 1924 Highway 1 in Fifth Ward, LA. With deep roots in the community, they provide a peaceful and accommodating environment to honor the memory of loved ones.
Myers Colonial Funeral Home & Crematorium is a premier funeral home located at 3178 Hwy. 190 W in DeRidder, LA. The property features well-appointed spaces including chapel, selection room, and offices. Professional offerings include traditional services, funeral services, and burial services, handled with the utmost care by their licensed directors. General services start at $1,995. For families preferring a traditional approach, basic burial services begin at $6,098, while direct cremation is available from $1,995. The staff is experienced in coordinating with various faith traditions, specifically Baptist.