Fort Chaffee To Host Decoration Weekends For On-Post Cemeteries

FORT SMITH (KFSM) — The public will have access to cemeteries inside Fort Chaffee on three weekends in the coming months.

The Public Safety Department at Fort Chaffee does require visitors to check-in with the office in advance.

The three weekends are: April 23-24, May 7-8 and July 2-5.

“We recognize that there are many families in the surrounding communities with family members or loved ones that were buried in cemeteries on the post,” Fort Chaffee Facility Manager Lt. Col. Michael Stransky said in a release. “These `decoration weekends’ enable groups and families several opportunities throughout the year to visit and maintain the grave sites of their loved ones during periods when live fire training and ranges will not impact visitation.”

A release from public affairs officer Lt. Col. Joel Lynch stated that due to their location in hazard zones of the post, several cemeteries are (by appointment only) visitation sites.  These cemeteries include: Coleman, Langston, Lone Star Stone and Spencer Cemetery.  These sites are accessed by coordinating in advance with Sgt. Chris Carter at 479-484-3219 or email him at Christopher.g.carter4.mil@mail.mil.

In keeping with the reverence appropriate for these final resting places, Ft. Chaffee has some decoration guidelines for the cemeteries:

1. Decorations may be placed provided they do not interfere with grounds maintenance or military training operations.
2. Floral easels and other floral arrangements are permitted; however, flowers will be removed from grave sites and disposed of by cemetery personnel when they become withered, faded or otherwise unsightly.
3. The introduction of plants, statues or commemorative items other than headstones and footstones is at the discretion of the Facility Manager, and approval must be requested prior to placement.  Ft. Chaffee has no liability for theft or damage to any property in the cemeteries.
4. Access to certain cemetery locations is by appointment only.  Please coordinate in advance of the visitation weekend with Ft. Chaffee Cemetery Coordinator at 479-484-3219.