VA oversees largest expansion of national cemeteries since the Civil War

More than 500 Veterans, family members and patriotic citizens witnessed the ceremonial breaking of ground and dedication of the Tallahassee National Cemetery earlier this summer. The event, fittingly held on Memorial Day weekend, attracted a stellar cast of local, state and national dignitaries, community and military bands, color and honor guard units, Veterans and supporters.

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Bob McDonald provided the keynote address. He was joined onstage by Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs Jeff Miller, Ranking Member Corrine Brown, U.S. Rep. Gwen Graham, interim Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Ronald Walters and other state and local officials.

“Here, we establish another glade of America’s most hallowed ground,” said McDonald, “to pay homage to men and women who so valued America that they placed their lives at risk in the defense of generations yet to come.”

When Tallahassee National Cemetery opens for first burials in a few short weeks, it will be part of the largest expansion of national cemeteries since the Civil War. In the next few years, VA will open 17 new cemeteries throughout the country. Later in 2015, VA will dedicate Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, also in Florida. This entire expansion effort will increase or enhance burial access for over two million Veterans and their families. Once these planned projects are complete, more than 96 percent of Veterans will have access to a burial option within a 75-mile radius of their homes.

VA will build five full-service national cemeteries—the two in Florida and three others planned for Omaha, Neb., western New York and southern Colorado.

VA will also open five columbarium-only cemeteries as part of its Urban Initiative. VA’s goal is to help city-dwelling Veterans and family members overcome time and distance challenges associated with burial and visitation in urban areas. These facilities will be in New York; Los Angeles; Alameda, Ca.; Chicago and Indianapolis.

VA plans to establish the remaining eight sites as part of its rural Initiative in North Dakota, Wisconsin, Wyoming, Montana, Utah, Maine, Idaho and Nevada. These facilities will offer burial options to Veterans in sparsely populated rural areas.

VA will build these new cemeteries at the same time that it continues to expand the service capacity of existing cemeteries. VA will also continue to work with its state and tribal partners to fund the establishment, expansion and improvement of state and tribal Veteran’s cemeteries.

VA and the National Cemetery Administration are fulfilling Lincoln’s promise to “… care for those who have borne the battle …,” by expanding Veterans’ access to final resting places worthy of their service and sacrifice. Tallahassee National Cemetery, America’s newest hallowed ground, is just one of many shrines to come that will help to keep that promise to those to whom we owe a great debt of gratitude.

Chris Erbe is a public affairs specialist with the National Cemetery Administration. He is a 26-year Veteran of the U.S. Navy where he served as a musician and public affairs officer.