U.S. Tennessee Representative Mark Green (R-TN-07) applauded the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recent distribution of grant funds to go towards expanding and improving Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville.
I’m pleased the VA awarded a grant to the State of Tennessee for the expansion and improvement of the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville. These dollars are crucial for the infrastructure, upkeep, and continued service of the cemetery.
— Rep. Mark Green (@RepMarkGreen) July 20, 2023
The cemetery, which is one of Tennessee’s five State Veterans Cemeteries, currently serves more than 193,000 veterans and their eligible family members. The four other State Veterans Cemeteries are located in Memphis, Parkers Crossroads, and Knoxville, where there are two cemeteries.
On Wednesday, the VA’s National Cemetery Administration (NCA) announced that its Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) awarded a grant of up to $7,167,700 to the state of Tennessee to expand and improve the cemetery.
In addition, the VA announced that it will also reimburse the State $2,750,000 for the cost of fabrication and delivery of outer burial receptacles used for the project.
“I’m pleased the VA awarded a grant to the State of Tennessee for the expansion and improvement of the Middle Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery in Nashville. These dollars are crucial for the infrastructure, upkeep, and continued service of the cemetery,” Green, an Army combat veteran, wrote in a social media post Thursday.
Through the VA’s grant funds, the cemetery will be able to add 3,802 pre-placed crypts, 1,024 cremains gravesites, 1,100 columbarium niches, and improve its roads, accessibility improvements, landscaping, and irrigation system.
“This cemetery contains the graves of the six servicemen who fought and gave their lives in the War in Afghanistan and/or Operation Enduring Freedom,” Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Matthew Quinn said in a statement. “NCA is proud to help this state expand efforts that exemplify and honor our Nation’s Veterans.”
The VCGP has provided more than $1 billion to establish, expand, improve, and maintain 122 state, territorial, and tribal veterans cemeteries since its launch in 1978, according to the VA’s website.
– – –
Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Mark Green” by Mark Green.
