North Little Rock Veterans Cemetery Gets $4.4 Million Grant For Expansion
by July 10, 2013 3:40 pm 185 views
The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) will be awarded $4.4 million from its federal counterpart to develop 9 acres in the North Little Rock veterans’ cemetery.
The state agency will receive $4,470,187 in grant funding for the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. It will allow for the construction of 3,800 pre-placed crypts, 1,000 single interment areas, a memorial wall, roadways, irrigation and supportive infrastructure.
“The ADVA is proud to have this opportunity to improve our state Veterans cemetery at North Little Rock,” said ADVA Director Alicia “Cissy” Rucker. “We also appreciate the added bonus of hiring local companies for the designated projects. But most importantly, we want to do our best to honor our Veterans by continuing to seek ways to improve our state cemeteries.”
The Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at North Little Rock averages 48 interments a month, and has completed 5,495 of all types since its dedication on Nov. 11, 2001.
“Our capabilities for interment after expansion will be significantly increased,” said Cemetery Manager Bill Wussick. “Also, in an effort to better use our resources, the grant allows us to enhance our lake and catchment areas for irrigation purposes.”
In 2012, the North Little Rock cemetery received a $1.1 million grant for raising, realigning and cleaning headstones, turf rehabilitation and the construction of 720 columbarium niches.
The ADVA also oversees the Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery at Birdeye, which was dedicated in 2010.