“Veterans have served our country all over the world in the name of democracy and against Nazism and Communism,” “Saxton said. “They have undoubtedly made the world a better place. If today they want to make plans to be laid to rest in a veterans cemetery, it is the federal government’s duty to make that option available and the process as easy as possible.”

Principi told Saxton that a grant to the tune of $6.149 million to pay the total cost of the project has been approved. It will pay for 100 percent of the cost of the upgrades. Saxton has been an advocate for making cemetery improvements.  Due to the aging of the World War II population, the VA has embarked on a plan to upgrade cemeteries across the country.

“Our cemetery is the largest of its kind in the country,” Saxton said. “There were about 2,700 burials in 2003, about twice volume the facilities were built to administer. The new facility will help the staff serve our veterans and their families.”

A new, 13,000-square foot maintenance and administration building is planned. The facility will house digging equipment, dump trucks, and lawn maintenance equipment. The 240-acre cemetery in North Hanover was opened in 1986, and is run by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. There are ongoing efforts to improve parking, drainage and options. A new columbarium is set to open Nov. 15. The $1.6 million facility is designed to permanently store cremated remains.

In 2002, Saxton brought Principi to Burlington County to discuss veteran issues. Saxton’s Third District has more veterans than any other congressional district in the Garden State.