VA will dedicate new cemetery Sunday

VA will dedicate new cemetery Sunday

POSTED 09/19/08 - Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs William F. Tuerk will be a major speaker at the groundbreaking and dedication ceremony for the new Jacksonville National Cemetery this weekend. He'll be joined by key Veterans Affairs and local elected officials. Other events include the unveiling of the dedication plaque, a ceremonial ground breaking and military honors.

Time for this event will be Sunday at 2 p.m. and, while the location will be the Gateway Radio Control Club on Lannie Road near Callahan, visitors will need to park at the Jacksonville International Airport Economy Parking Lot 3 for shuttle to the event. Parking at the location generally will not be permitted.

From Interstate 95, follow Airport Road toward the airport and turn right onto Pecan Park Road. Follow the signs to Economy Parking Lot 3. Buses will shuttle guests to and from the ceremony site. Both parking and shuttle service are free of charge. Guests should carpool and arrive by 12 pm.

James Rich, National Cemetery Administration Office (202) 461-6240, and his staff are available to answer any questions.

The new 526-acre national cemetery in Jacksonville, Fla., will serve veterans' burial needs for at least the next 100 years. The cemetery is located north of the Jacksonville International Airport and approximately five miles from Interstate 295. The cemetery will serve about 190,000 veterans and their families within the region.

The initial construction will consist of a 20-acre early burial area with temporary facilities and will be followed by the second stage of the construction project.

When completed, the 52-acre Phase 1 development will provide 8,145 full-casket grave sites, including 7,300 pre-placed crypts, 5,100 in-ground cremation sites and 4,992 columbarium niches.

The VA awarded a $4.2 million contract to LEI Construction of Tampa, Fla., a service-disabled veteran-owned business, to begin site preparation on this tract north of Jacksonville International Airport.

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery.