National Cemetery Administration
Minnesota Receives Grant to Establish Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Redwood Falls
August 19, 2021
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration announced today that the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP), which it oversees, has awarded the state of Minnesota a grant of $11,193,840 for the establishment of Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Redwood Falls.
"The NCA is very happy to work with Minnesota to bring this cemetery to the southwestern part of the state," said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matthew Quinn. "Currently, the closest Veterans cemetery—Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis—is more than 100 miles away. This new cemetery will make it much easier for Veterans and families who want to bury their loved one closer to home."
The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Redwood Falls will serve approximately 22,000 Veterans and eligible family members. This grant will fund 150 pre-placed crypts, 750 in-ground cremains burial areas, 1,080 columbarium niches, 50 standard burial plots, a combined Administration/Maintenance building, committal service shelter, flag assembly area, entry feature and wayfinding signs, landscaping, irrigation, equipment and supporting infrastructure on nearly 21.7 acres.
The VCGP complements VA's national cemetery system by funding state, territorial and tribal Veterans cemeteries, increasing access to burial benefits for Veterans and their eligible family members. Since its inception in 1978, the program has provided more than $910 million to establish, expand, improve, operate and maintain 119 cemeteries which are currently interring Veterans. In fiscal year 2020, these cemeteries conducted more than 37,000 burials.
For more information about this grant, contact David Swantek, Deputy Director for Memorial Affairs at (651) 332-0946 or email david.swantek@state.mn.us.
