FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- September 14, 2006 -



STEARNS REACTS TO VA SELECTION OF SITE FOR NEW CEMETERY

VA CEMETERY TO BE ESTABLISHED IN NORTH JACKSONVILLE


WASHINGTON, SEPT. 14, 2006 - "I am pleased that the Department of Veterans' Affairs has announced the site for the new National Cemetery in Jacksonville," said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth).  The Department of Veterans Affairs today announced that the new cemetery will be established at the "City Site", which is the 568-acre property owned by the City straddling Lannie Road, east of Lem Turner Road in North Jacksonville. Stearns, a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, started offering legislation in 1996 to establish a new VA cemetery in north central Florida.  H.R. 1516, the National Cemetery Expansion Act of 2003, included language from Stearns' legislation directing the VA to establish a national cemetery in the most suitable place to serve area veterans.

Added Stearns, "I am especially gratified that veterans and their families in north central Florida will finally benefit from their own dignified final resting place.  The nearest 'open' cemetery is some three hours away for the thousands of veterans in the Jacksonville area.  It was a long effort, with many worthy and beautiful pieces of land suggested to the VA, including some in Bradford and Clay Counties in my congressional district.  But this is clearly a good choice for veterans and their families, and will be a fitting and honorable tribute.  The plan is to have a portion of it opened by spring of 2008."

For Further Information Please Contact Paul Flusche at 202-225-5744 or Email.

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