The History of the Cemetery



It all started with two Veterans and a Fallen Hero.

Veterans Memorial Cemetery on Day Street in Titusville, Florida was founded by 1st Sergeant Arthur Rice and Colonel John Howard when they discovered a veteran buried in the cemetery next to the current veteran’s cemetery. Soon, they convinced Brevard County to donate the land for a veteran’s cemetery. The first veteran buried at the cemetery was Walther Smith, a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard from 1917 to 1939. He was buried on November 10, 1978, the day before the cemetery was dedicated.

           Who are the friends of the cemetery?

From Four Men and Idea To…


While the cemetery has been here since 1978, it was largely neglected and ignored until a group of veterans visited it and came to the conclusion:


 “Something had to be done!”


Friends of the cemetery has grown to more than 250 volunteers, and partnerships with more then a dozen organizations to help beautify, maintain, and most importantly honor our veterans in their final resting place.

Sam DiBlasio

Founder


United States Navy & leader of Alpha Friends Bible group at Indian River City Methodist Church.

Albert Therriault
Founder

United States Air Force, and Lt. Col. Civil Air Patrol Commander of the Tico Composite Squadron
Tom Stewart
Founder

Member of  Alpha Friends who were already placing American flags at all the grave stones each Memorial Day & Veterans Day
Robert Patry
Founder

United Sates Army, Commander of VFW post #4228

Dylan

Eagle Scout

Troop 488
Titusville, FL

Riley

Eagle Scout

Troop 488
Titusville, FL