The veterans cemetery in Fernley received a $499,900 grant this week from the Department of Veterans Affairs to increase the number of burial sites and improve infrastructure there.
The Nevada Office of Veterans Services sought the additional funds to meet the growing demand for the Northern Nevada Memorial Cemetery.
"It is our responsibility to ensure that our veterans have a final resting place," said Tim Tetz, executive director of Veteran Services. "This grant will go a long way in helping us deliver on the promise we made to our American heroes to lay them to rest in a field of honor."
The grant will help fund the construction of full-casket gravesites, cremains burial areas, visitor parking, landscaping, irrigation and supporting infrastructure. The project will develop about three acres to include 451 standard burial plots and 1,619 in-ground cremains sites.
Tetz said he appreciates the support of the Veterans Affairs, but noted the grant will not cover all anticipated costs.
The state has been unable to allocate additional funds to complete the expansion.
Private donors have pledged their support to the project, but additional contributions likely will be
needed.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at a future date to recognize cemetery supporters.
The only other state veterans cemetery is the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City, nearly 450 miles away. The closest national cemetery is the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery in Dixon, Calif., about 190 miles away.
For more information, call toll free at 1-866-630-VETS (8387) or visit www.veterans.
nv.gov.