Will open in 2016 in Leslie County
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Oct. 23, 2015) — Gov. Steve Beshear announced today that the National Cemetery Administration plans to award a $6 million grant in Fiscal Year 2016 for the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery South East in Leslie County. The final grant award will be made after KDVA completes the design phase of the project early next year.
“I am happy to announce that the National Cemetery Administration has approved this construction grant for us to build another veterans cemetery,” said Beshear. “We remember the brave men and women who have served our country in the armed forces, and we are also grateful for the hard work of the legislature and the Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs (KDVA) for locating this property and obtaining the federal grant for this cemetery.”
The state’s fifth cemetery, expected to open in 2016, will serve veterans and their families from southeastern Kentucky, in keeping with a federal goal of ensuring that a national or state veterans cemetery is no farther than 75 miles from veterans’ families.
“Providing a secure, dignified resting place for our Kentucky service members is one of our sacred duties to veterans,” said KDVA Commissioner Heather French Henry. “This grant allows us to ensure that they are always within reach of their loved ones.”
The Kentucky Department of Veterans Affairs will begin construction on the Kentucky Veterans Cemetery South East (KVCSE) in 2016. KVCSE will be located on about 40 acres on Kentucky Highway 118 just north of Hyden in Leslie County.
Construction will include an entry gate, administration building of approximately 2,600 square feet, maintenance building with service area, committal shelter, and a columbarium. Also, there will be appropriate parking and assembly area, road network, walking path and landscaping commensurate with the dignity and honor for a state veteran’s cemetery.
“I am so proud and thankful that the VA cemetery is finally becoming a reality,” said Leslie County Judge-Executive Jimmy Sizemore. “For many years, federal, state and local officials have worked hard to make this happen. I appreciate the efforts of everyone involved.”
Burial services to veterans and their eligible family members include:
- Furnishing grave or columbarium space
- Opening and closing the grave
- Supplying a suitable marker or headstone
- Providing the interment site with perpetual care
Kentucky Veterans Cemetery West in Hopkinsville, has interred more than 3,084 veterans and dependents since opening in 2004; Kentucky Veterans Cemetery Central in Radcliff, has interred more than 4,139 veterans and dependents since opening in 2007; Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North in Williamstown, has interred more than 1,099 veterans and dependents since opening in 2008; and Kentucky Veterans Cemetery North East in Greenup County, has interred more than 549 veterans and dependents since opening in 2010.
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