National Cemetery Administration
Iowa Receives $1,205,724 Grant for the Expansion of Iowa Veterans Cemetery
July 22, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced today that it has awarded Iowa a grant in the amount of $1,205,724 for the expansion of Iowa State Veterans Cemetery in Adel, Iowa.
"These grants are enabling us to reach our goal of 95 percent of Veterans in the United States having access to a State, Tribal, or National Cemetery burial option that is within 75 miles of where they live," said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. "Funding this expansion to the Iowa Veterans Cemetery ensures that Iowa Veterans who earned this benefit through their service to our Nation can rest assured that this option will remain available to them for decades to come."
This grant will fund the construction of 8,000 in-ground cremation sites and 1,728 columbarium niches, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure on 2.75 acres, enabling Iowa State Veterans Cemetery to provide continued service for approximately 64,312 Veterans and their eligible family members.
The VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) is designed to complement the 144 VA national cemeteries. Since its inception 42 years ago, the VCGP has awarded grants totaling more than $862 million to establish, expand, improve, or operate and maintain 116 state and tribal Veterans cemeteries. These grant-funded cemeteries provided more than 39,000 burials in 2019.
For more information about the Iowa Veterans Cemetery, contact Mr. Steven Lukan, Executive Director, at 515-727-3444 or visit https://www.dva.ia.gov/cemetery.
