Community Members Express Interest for a State Veterans Cemetery Near Madison County

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs announced the initiative to establish a new state veterans cemetery in or near Madison County. TDVA has submitted a pre-application grant to the National Cemetery Administration for federal funding of the architectural design, engineer support and construction costs. However, funding for land acquisition must be raised through donations as well as city, county and state funding.

The cemetery would be located in Madison County or surrounding area, but would serve veterans and their eligible dependents in all counties in West Tennessee.

TDVA Assistant Commissioner Mark Breece hosted a community meeting on Tuesday, May 1 to form a steering committee to proceed with the land acquisition process.

Chair-Chris Dangler of Henderson County and Secretary Judy Parish of Carroll County will be non-voting members. Co-Chair Jacky Campbell of Madison County, committee members James Lindsey of Henderson County, Rex McBee of Henderson County, Spurgeon Smith of Madison County, Deanna Day of Gibson County, Lanny Sartor of Hardin County, Ray Parish of Carroll County, Larry Broyles of Hardin County and Phil Meals of Gibson County are all voting members.

“Finding the ideal land to become the final resting place for our Tennessee Veterans is a large responsibility and I want to publicly thank this committee for their commitment to this important project,” TDVA Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder said. “We are pleased to see this project move forward to continue to serve our veterans and their families in West Tennessee.”

The first steering committee meeting will be held in at the Parkers Crossroads Visitor Center on May 10, 2012 at 4:00 p.m. CDT. The Tennessee Department of Veterans Affairs is committed to serving veterans and their families with dignity and compassion.

TDVA is committed to be an advocate for veterans to ensure they receive the care, support, earned entitlements and recognition they earned in service to our country. For more information, visit the department’s website at www.tn.gov/veteran, facebook.com/myTDVA or stay up to date by following the department on twitter @TNDVA.