National Cemetery Administration
Oklahoma Receives $7,355,463 Grant for the Establishment of a State Veterans Cemetery
September 14, 2020
WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced today that it has awarded the state of Oklahoma a grant in the amount of $7,355,463 for the establishment of a State Veterans Cemetery in Ardmore, Oklahoma.
"It's an honor to partner with the Oklahoma to provide the Veterans in the Ardmore area a final resting place that is befitting their service and sacrifice," said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. "The Veterans Cemetery Grant Program is one of the finest examples of federal-state partnership in existence, delivering service to our Veterans and value the American taxpayer."
The grant will fund the construction of 1,104 pre-placed crypts, 434 cremains gravesites, 600 columbarium niches, a main entrance, an administration building, a maintenance facility, roads, an assembly area, landscaping, a memorial walkway, and supporting infrastructure on approximately 12 acres, enabling the cemetery to provide service for approximately 25,571 Veterans and their eligible family members.
The VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) is designed to complement VA national cemeteries. Since its inception in 1978, the VCGP has awarded grants totaling more than $862 million to establish, expand, improve, or operate and maintain 117 state and tribal Veterans cemeteries. These grant-funded cemeteries provided more than 39,000 burials in fiscal year 2019.
For more information about this State Veterans Cemetery, contact Jackie G. Whitten, Jr., Director, Claims & Benefits, Oklahoma Department of Veterans Affairs (ODVA) Central Office at 405-523-4000.
