WASHINGTON – The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced today that it has awarded the state of Alabama a grant in the amount of $274,393 for the expansion and improvement of the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, in Spanish Fort, Alabama.

“Our state and tribal partners are critical in helping NCA achieve our strategic goal of providing 95 percent of the Veteran population with convenient access to a burial option within 75 miles of their home,” said Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Randy Reeves. “We look forward to continuing to work with states like Alabama and provide grants that reflect the needs, resources and preferences of the local Veteran community.”

The grant will fund the construction of 430 in-ground cremains gravesites, a memorial wall containing 100 plaques, widened cortege lane, landscape, irrigation and supporting infrastructure.  The project will develop approximately 0.5 acres and provide continued service for approximately 56,000 Veterans, spouses and eligible family members.

The closest national or state Veterans cemetery is Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida approximately 57 miles away.

In its 40th Anniversary since inception, VA's Veterans Cemetery Grants Program is designed to complement the 136 VA national cemeteries across the country. Since 1980, the program has awarded grants totaling more than $766 million to establish, expand, improve, operate and maintain 110 Veterans cemeteries in 48 states and territories, including tribal trust lands, Guam, and Saipan. These VA-funded cemeteries provided more than 38,000 burials in 2017.

For more information about Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort, contact Tony Ross, Cemetery Director at 251-625-1338 or www.va.state.al.us/spanishfort.aspx.

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