Augusta to Host Georgia’s Largest Veterans Cemetery
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has approved more than $13.6 million in funding for the creation of a veterans cemetery in Augusta, Georgia. The grant, totaling $13,610,908, was awarded by the VA’s National Cemetery Administration on September 16. Representative Rick Allen stated that the funding for the long-awaited cemetery has been officially awarded to the State of Georgia.
This new facility is planned to be the largest veterans cemetery in Georgia, situated on over 200 acres of state-owned land adjacent to the Gracewood campus of East Central Georgia Regional Hospital. Former Augusta Mayor Bob Young and Augusta Commissioner Don Clark were recognized for their efforts in making the cemetery possible.
Plans for the cemetery include an administration building, a maintenance building with a wash bay, a committal service shelter, and an assembly area. The grounds are designed to feature 600 grave sites, 1,500 crypts, 900 cremation grave sites, 960 columbarium niches, and a memorial wall with 140 plaques. Construction is expected to begin in November and take approximately 18 months to complete.
The CSRA (Central Savannah River Area) Veterans Cemetery Fund, a nonprofit organization, is working to raise an additional $705,000. These funds would support extra amenities such as a bell tower, water features, and memorial benches.
