STEARNS OFFERED PROVISION ENACTED INTO LAW ESTABLISHING THE NEW VETERANS CEMETERY

Washington, Sep 17, 2008 - “There are 189,000 veterans in the Jacksonville area, but there is no veterans cemetery to provide them a permanent place of honor,” said Rep. Cliff Stearns (R-Sixth). “Since 1996, I have offered legislation to establish a veterans cemetery here in the Jacksonville area, and in 2003, my provision was enacted. I look forward to dedicating the Jacksonville VA National Cemetery on Sunday, September 21st.”

Stearns will join in the dedication of the Jacksonville VA National Cemetery on Sunday, September 21, 2008 at 2:00 PM. The new veterans cemetery is located at 3461 Lannie Road in Jacksonville (north of the Jacksonville International Airport). The 569-acre cemetery is expected to open for burials in December 2008. All veterans, except those with a dishonorable discharge, and their spouses and dependent children are eligible for burial in a national cemetery.