CAS3
04-21-03, 10:09 AM
VA Approves Grant To Establish Kansas State Cemetery
WASHINGTON (April 17, 2003) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony
J. Principi today announced the award of a $3.3-million grant to Kansas to
establish the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney, in western Kansas.
"This award, and an increasing number like it for state veterans'
cemeteries, recognize the contribution of America's aging veterans," said
Principi. "I appreciate President Bush's leadership in supporting state
veterans' cemeteries."
The 24-acre cemetery will have an entrance gate, assembly area,
administration and maintenance building, committal shelter and associated
road, grading and drainage work. In the first phase it will provide 2,600
burial spaces, including 500 double-depth crypts, or pre-placed graveliners,
and a 320-niche columbarium for cremated remains. The grant will also pay
for planning and design expenses and the equipment needed to operate the
cemetery.
The nearest open VA national cemetery is Ft. McPherson National
Cemetery in Maxwell, Neb., approximately 165 miles away.
As a complement to VA's system of national cemeteries, the State
Cemetery Grants Program has helped establish, expand or improve 51
operational state veterans cemeteries. Six additional cemeteries are under
construction. The state veterans cemeteries provided 17,177 burials in
fiscal year 2002. Since the program began in 1980, VA has awarded 127
grants for more than $155 million to 30 states, plus Guam.
Information about the grants program is available by contacting VA's
State Cemetery Grants Service at (202) 565-6801. Eligibility for burial in
the Kansas Veterans Cemetery will be open to state veterans on the same
basis as eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. Details may be
obtained by calling the Kansas Veterans Commission at (785) 296-3976.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national
cemetery offices, from VA web sites on the Internet at <http://www.va.gov/>
or <http://www.cem.va.gov/> or by calling VA regional offices toll-free on
1-800-827-1000.
WASHINGTON (April 17, 2003) -- Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony
J. Principi today announced the award of a $3.3-million grant to Kansas to
establish the Kansas Veterans Cemetery at WaKeeney, in western Kansas.
"This award, and an increasing number like it for state veterans'
cemeteries, recognize the contribution of America's aging veterans," said
Principi. "I appreciate President Bush's leadership in supporting state
veterans' cemeteries."
The 24-acre cemetery will have an entrance gate, assembly area,
administration and maintenance building, committal shelter and associated
road, grading and drainage work. In the first phase it will provide 2,600
burial spaces, including 500 double-depth crypts, or pre-placed graveliners,
and a 320-niche columbarium for cremated remains. The grant will also pay
for planning and design expenses and the equipment needed to operate the
cemetery.
The nearest open VA national cemetery is Ft. McPherson National
Cemetery in Maxwell, Neb., approximately 165 miles away.
As a complement to VA's system of national cemeteries, the State
Cemetery Grants Program has helped establish, expand or improve 51
operational state veterans cemeteries. Six additional cemeteries are under
construction. The state veterans cemeteries provided 17,177 burials in
fiscal year 2002. Since the program began in 1980, VA has awarded 127
grants for more than $155 million to 30 states, plus Guam.
Information about the grants program is available by contacting VA's
State Cemetery Grants Service at (202) 565-6801. Eligibility for burial in
the Kansas Veterans Cemetery will be open to state veterans on the same
basis as eligibility for burial in a VA national cemetery. Details may be
obtained by calling the Kansas Veterans Commission at (785) 296-3976.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national
cemetery offices, from VA web sites on the Internet at <http://www.va.gov/>
or <http://www.cem.va.gov/> or by calling VA regional offices toll-free on
1-800-827-1000.