Governor Beshear Announces Fourth State Veterans Cemetery

FRANKFORT, KY (June 18, 2008) - Governor Steve Beshear today announced the state's purchase of land in Greenup County to build a fourth state veterans cemetery.

"We owe Kentucky's veterans and their families who live near the mouth of the Little Sandy River a local, peaceful and dignified final resting place," said Gov. Beshear. "The goal of the cemetery is to honor veterans for their sacrifice and service to our country."

The 78-acre property is on East Park Drive off Highway 67 (Industrial Parkway) at I-64. The land is currently owned by Addington Land Company, LLC and Snowcreek Development Company, LLC. The owners are donating 15 acres and the Commonwealth will purchase the remaining 63 acres.

Representative Tanya Pullin (D-Boyd, Greenup) and Senator Charlie Borders (R-Bracken, Carter, Greenup, Lewis, Mason & Robertson) worked with the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs and the Finance and Administration Cabinet's Department of Facilities Management in identifying the property for this regional cemetery and negotiating its purchase.

Phase I of the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Northeast will contain 25,000 gravesites for veterans and their eligible family members. The project will include a 3,600 square-foot administration building and 4,400 square-foot equipment storage and maintenance building with service area.

There will also be a committal shelter for burial services and a columbarium for cremains. The cemetery will contain a road network designed to facilitate funeral processions. It will have available parking, a walking path and appropriate landscaping that provides a peaceful setting.

Following land acquisition and design, the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs will apply for a construction and equipment grant of approximately $8 million from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The Commonwealth of Kentucky will be responsible for staffing, continued operation and maintenance of the cemetery. The cemetery's opening date is dependent upon the receipt of grant funds and construction schedule, which will likely be a minimum of three years.

The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs currently operates two state veterans cemeteries. Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West opened in Hopkinsville in 2004 and Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central opened in Radcliff in 2007. The third cemetery, Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North, in Williamstown will be dedicated on August 22, 2008.