National Cemetery Administration
Maine Receives Grant for the Expansion of Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery
August 15, 2019
WASHINGTON – The Department The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced today that it has awarded Maine a grant in the amount of $2,035,202 for the expansion of Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale, Maine.
"Extending how long the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery will be able to operate will give peace of mind to our Veterans and their families," said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. "In this project, as in every project we conduct in partnership with the States, we seek to fulfill our Nation's sacred commitment to care for our Veterans."
This grant will fund the construction of 554 pre-placed crypts, 234 green burial gravesites, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure. The project will develop approximately 1.6 acres. The project will enable the cemetery to serve approximately 40,000 Veterans, their spouses and eligible family members.
The VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) complements the 136 VA national cemeteries across the country. Since its inception 41 years ago, the VCGP has awarded grants totaling more than $817 million to establish, expand, improve, or operate and maintain 115 state and tribal Veterans cemeteries. These VA-funded cemeteries provided more than 39,000 burials in 2018.
For more information about the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery, contact Scott Brown, Superintendent of Maine Veterans' Cemetery System, Maine Bureau of Veterans' Services at 207-287-8830 or visit https://www.maine.gov/veterans/memorial-cemetery-system/index.html.
