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Verona

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Just seven miles south of Jacksonville is the community of Verona, located off of U.S. Route 17. This area was settled in the early 1800s and many of the founding families remain in the area. Verona, originally a township, is now part of the city of Jacksonville and remains a part of the history and success of Marine Corps Base Camp LeJeune.

In 1941 Verona residents made way for Camp LeJeune, which became the largest amphibious training facility in the country. During World War II and the Korean War, Verona’s large train station played a key role in transporting troops to Wilmington for deployment.

Just a few miles from the New River Air Station Gate is the Verona Loop National Cemetery, which was built for the African-Americans whose bodies were initially buried at Camp Lejeune. 

Today,  Camp Lejeune takes care of the property. The cemetery is open to the public as an official historical site and is included as part of the Onslow County African American Heritage Trail.

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