National Cemetery Administration
Wyoming Receives Grant to Expand Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery
August 20, 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 a grant of up to $2,722,263 to the state of Wyoming for the expansion of Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery in Evansville.
"Prior to the opening of Cheyenne National Cemetery last year, Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery was the only Veterans cemetery in the state of Wyoming," said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matthew T. Quinn. "For many Veterans living in central Wyoming, it remains the closest cemetery to home where they can exercise the burial benefits they have earned through their service."
Oregon Trail State Veterans Cemetery currently serves more than 7,000 Veterans and their eligible family members living within 75 miles of the cemetery. The grant will fund 612 pre-placed crypts, 349 in-ground cremains burial areas, 800 columbaria niches, a memorial wall with 105 plaques, a memorial walk, flag assembly area improvements, a weather shelter for kiosk users, ornamental fencing, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure on nearly 2.3 acres of land.
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 Kenneth Lewis, Construction Manager, State of Wyoming Military Department at (307) 772-5463 or kenneth.w.lewis58.nfg@mail.mil.
