Veterans cemetery idea grows in popularity
Published Monday, November 10, 2008
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FAIRBANKS — Most veterans in Interior Alaska may be years or decades removed from active duty, but a few still have a mission on their minds: They want a cemetery in or near Fairbanks for veterans and their spouses.
The idea has circled among politicians and retired military personnel from the Fairbanks area for a few years. Now, with troops stationed at the Fairbanks area’s two military posts regularly returning from the Middle East, some say the idea is warm enough to merit a continued effort.
“A place of honor is what we’re looking at for our veterans,” Raymond Clark, a retired Marine sergeant who fought in the Vietnam War, said Sunday.
Benno Cleveland, another Vietnam vet, said veterans and other fraternal organizations have strong representation in Fairbanks and towns and villages through Interior and northern Alaska. Members from those same groups, he said, could be reminded of the need for a dedicated cemetery when they take a tour of privately operated cemeteries in Fairbanks on Veteran’s Day on Tuesday.
“You see an extreme amount of U. S. flags,” Cleveland said of cemeteries at Birch Hill, Clay Street and north Fairbanks. “In the Fairbanks area, we have a tremendous amount of veterans.”
Somewhere between 9,000 and 12,000 veterans could live in the Fairbanks North Star Borough, according to rough estimates that surfaced during discussions of the proposal.
The only two dedicated veterans cemeteries in Alaska are in Anchorage and Sitka — hundreds of miles away.
That’s too far, according to Clark, who said he was part of a group that recognized the need for a dedicated military cemetery here about six years ago.
Clark said he plans to prod public officials to help make the group’s dream a reality. The federal government reimburses states, through a grant program, that take steps to develop resting places for veterans.
The idea floated midway through the Alaska Legislature’s session a few years ago before falling short when the session ended in 2006.
Rep. David Guttenberg, a Fairbanks Democrat who was re-elected to a state House of Representatives seat last week, said his office has taken steps by writing an application for a grant from the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs and sending it to Gov. Sarah Palin for approval.
Under the plan, he said, the Veterans Affairs Department could issue a grant to a qualified community in Alaska — he hopes Fairbanks tops the list as most qualified — for the roughly $2.5 million he expects it might cost to build a veterans cemetery. He said the state would need to pick up the tab for operations, a bill that could run close to $200,000 before per-burial reimbursements from the federal government came through.
Guttenberg said he failed to realize the importance veterans collectively place on dedicated cemeteries until he first proposed a bill seeking one three years ago.
“Veterans want to be buried on hallowed ground. That’s what’s important to them,” he said.
The Borough Assembly jumped on board with support in the past, stating in a 2005 resolution that Alaska has more people in the military per capita than any other state.
Clark estimates it could be relatively cheap to build a cemetery — about a half-million dollars for construction costs — if land is donated.
He hopes to find at least 10 acres somewhere near town, and said 20 acres would be ideal.
Operational and maintenance costs might run close to $40,000 a year, he said.
First, he said, the state would need to agree to help out, a move he indicated would help qualify the community for federal assistance.
“It’s the elected officials that need to carry the ball,” he said. “And we’ve had a hard time convincing them it’s a priority.”
Clark acknowledged more veterans are likely looking to be cremated now than in decades past, a shift in end-of-life trends that may change the way people view plans for cemeteries.
But he said that doesn’t eliminate the need for a veterans cemetery, particularly if it included a crematorium and memorial hall.
And Cleveland said some who have served time in battle take great comfort in knowing a place has been set aside for them after they pass on.
“Through our training and our service, we always relied on our comrades we served with,” he said. “There’s a bond with other vets that would never be understandable to someone who never served.”
Contact staff writer Christopher Eshleman at 459-7582.
Community Discussion
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What a wonderful idea!!! I will David Guttenburg and Sarah tomorrow about this!! We NEED a vet cemetery in Fairbanks now! I, for one want some ashes spread at a place at Selby Lake in the Brooks Range, and some spread in NC, the land of my birth, but I want to be interned in Fairbanks....where I have spent most of my adult life. I loved the service that I gave to the military, and would love to be buried (what is left) in a vet cemetery!!!
Republicanlosers, As a vet, I am offended by your post. American/Alaskan vets have given a good part of their lives, sometimes being wounded or even killed in defense of YOUR way of life and YOUR right to post what you did. I am opposed to the war in Iraq, not a Republican and am greatly offended by your insensitive post, although would have died to protect your right to post it!!
Yukonjohn - Just ignore rebublicanlooser (sic), they're obviously a small-minded, bitter person.
I agree with what you stated in your posts.
A retired USAF Master Sergeant and a disabled veteran.
Republicanloosers, your so pitiful you don't even know how to spell losers.
Actually, he's a troll and knows that you all will respond to him. I'm sure such a cemetery will eventually be built -- it'll be an easy way for Interior politicians to score votes with veterans and veterans groups, and it's something that's actually needed.
This is a Great Idea !!
Must be something wrong with me, I fail to see the need and yes, I'm a vet.
I believe this to be a great idea. I'm non-military myself, but have many relatives and loved ones that are. The need comes out of the high population of veterans we have locally and the baby-boomers coming of age now. If you don't see the need now, you will in the next 10-20 years big-time!
I know Guttenbergs been working hard on this for a few years and the Repubs have done little to support it and senator huggins from eagle river tried to steal it and then has killed the bill. Little help from our own interior R's. Call Guttenbergs office for what help you can give.
The land should be no problem since the Borough has land for sell. They should gave some of the land for the Vet Cemetery. If the Borough is in support of the idea why haven't they put land aside for such a idea back in 05 or even consider doing such idea?
Yukonjohn,
I don't understand something; you indicate that you are offended by someone else's post but your's appears to be first and second posts. Was there another post that was somehow deleted or are you referring to a post from another article?
And yes, I think I agree with you about the need for a Veteran's Cemetary for all of us - Democrats, Republicans, and Undeclared - all of us who wore green or blue or tan in the service of our country's armed services.
Also, I guess, a "Republican Loser"...
Doug_in_Salcha - Yes, there was a post between Yukonjohn's first and second posts, from someone using 'rebublicanlooser' as a username. The post was a rant from a troll who obviously was trying to cause a reaction. The DNM apparently removed the post completely rather than simply replacing it's contents with their standard violation of user agreement message.
I seriously doubt anything will be done in my lifetime or that of my grandchild. Since coming home in 1968 I have seen how slow America was at welcoming her veterans back to the fold until the First Gulf War. Then they were writing cook books for them and giving them discounts on new cars. I wore civilian clothes coming home from Nam rather than put up with the abuse rained down on us for doing our duty. I have fought the VA and gave up due to their red tape and lack of caring. Do I believe there will be a Vets Cemetery in Fairbanks? Not likely.
Griff,
Thanks for explaining; I guess there are 'trolls' on both sides and the 'Republican' ones make me nearly as queasy as the 'Democrat' ones...
Actually, the issue of why this state doesn't have a VA cemetery has always been a long-standing question. Just FYI, the 2 cemeteries mentioned in the article are not listed on the VA's website.
Here is information on what it would take to get a VA cemetery going for us.
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/ocm_ocmmain.as...
TSgt, USAF(Ret.)
I am not opposed to the idea of a Veteran's cemetery. However, I wonder if there is really that much demand for it. I would think that many military families would prefer to be buried in a cemetery where their extended family could also be buried, and that the families would prefer that as well.
You do make a good point, smartntvmama, about the upcoming baby boomers. I wonder how much room Northern Lights has to expand.
On the other hand, the Borough's statement that Alaska has more people in the military per capita than any other state is not really relevant when you consider the fact that most of those stationed on Alaska's military bases will go "back home" once their assignment is over.
My biggest concern is who would be the entity to build and manage it. Does the Borough have the legal authority to run a cemetery? The City of Fairbanks is certainly not a valid option!!! They have done a horrible job of managing the two they have. The only maintenance Clay Street receives is provided by an individual who is hired by the local historical society. Birch Hill is maintained by a few volunteer citizens.
The City has never owned up to their responsibility to take care of its cemeteries, and wasted no time in selling Birch Hill to a private funeral home company that did not have experience managing a cemetery.
The City's official burial records are very incomplete and show 23 individuals buried in both Clay Street and Birch Hill!!! Their records of Clay Street show many graves as "Unknown," and yet the local genealogical society had no problem re-constructing the records from other publicly-available data.
This is not a decision that should be made hastily.
I have made this suggestion before, and I will make it again. We need to have a local Cemetery Commission made up of private citizens, to help oversee and monitor our public cemeteries.
So if there were a local VA cemetery built, who would manage it?
Re-read the article and the link I provided; and YES, there are a lot of vets here aside from the folks who are still currently on active duty and subject to rotation, so yes the need/interest is there. Otherwise a vet would be buried outside the State; many away from their families and the place they've chosen to call home.
IIRC, the State, not the Borough, should be the ones doing the maintenance. It's been awhile since I've done some reading on this subject.
You also forgot a 3rd cemetery that's up off Yankovich. Looks completely different from the other two; looks like only rich folks get buried there. We also have a community cemetery out in Salcha, thanks to the generosity of the late Joe Balch.
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/cems/listcem.a...
Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemeteries
ALASKA
Fort Richardson National Cemetery
Sitka National Cemetery
There is another category of cemeteries known as State Veterans Cemeteries, and there are none of these in Alaska.
The following link is more to-the-point regarding how a State Veterans Cemetery is establiashed:
http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/scg_grants.asp...
State Cemetery Grants Program
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State Cemetery Grants Program was established in 1978 to complement VA’s National Cemetery Administration.
The program assists states in providing gravesites for veterans in those areas where VA’s national cemeteries cannot fully satisfy their burial needs.Grants may be used only for the purpose of establishing, expanding or improving veterans cemeteries that are owned and operated by a state or U.S. territory. Aid can be granted only to states or U.S. territories. VA cannot provide grants to private organizations, counties, cities or other government agencies.
VA can now provide up to 100 percent of the development cost for an approved project. For establishment of new cemeteries, VA can provide for operating equipment. VA does not provide for acquisition of land. The value of the land cannot be considered as an "allowable cost" under the grant. States are solely responsible for acquisition of the necessary land. Any state ceasing to own or operate a cemetery established, expanded or improved through the use of grant funds, or using the funds for any other purpose than for which the grant was made will be liable for the total refund of all grants made for that cemetery. Federal funds can also be suspended or withdrawn for noncompliance with the terms and conditions of the grant.
Cemeteries established under the grant program must conform to the standards and guidelines pertaining to site selection, planning and construction prescribed by VA. Cemeteries must be operated solely for the burial of service members who die on active duty, veterans, and their eligible spouses and dependent children. Any cemetery assisted by a VA grant must be maintained and operated according to the operational standards and measures of the National Cemetery Administration.
The administration, operation and maintenance of a VA-supported state cemetery is solely the responsibility of the state. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is authorized to pay a plot or interment allowance (not to exceed $300) to a state for expenses incurred by the state in the burial of eligible veterans in a cemetery owned and operated by the state if the burial is performed at no cost to the veteran's next-of-kin. This benefit is administered by the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) and the state must apply to VBA to receive it.
Veterans service organizations should be informed of the project and be in support of an effort to establish a state veterans cemetery. Local governments should also be supportive. Ultimately, the state legislature must pass necessary legislation authorizing the state cemetery and appropriating funds for establishment and operation.
Applications for currently-authorized grants to states for State Veterans Cemeteries must be received by July 1, 2009.
Interesting information.
The specifications also provide for an administration building on the cemetery grounds.
Does anyone know what Department of our State government would oversee the maintenance and operation of such a cemetery?
I believe interior Alaska is long overdue for a state or VA Veteran's cemetery.
The current options in Fairbanks are both for-profit. In addition to the charges for the grave space, charges are also made for opening, burial vaults or liners and bronze or granite markers - plus installation. These are all costly to vets and family.
The cost to Veterans in a VA cemetery is zero - for everything - marker, space and opening. Compare this to the two thousand or more that the two local cemeteries currently charge fellow vets. Neither of the two cemeteries is a Veterans cemetery. Tthey offer a section for veterans, but the veterans are still charged.
Veterans and family deserve better than this here in interior Alaska.
I managed Northern Lights Memorial Park from 1983 until 2006 and I'd be more than happy to do whatever I can to get this Veterans cemetery open and available to interior Alaska Vets. I know what can be done compared to what is being done; we need this NOW.
Dave
Vietnam Vet 1968-1970
4th Inf Div - 4th Avn - Pleiku RVN
56th Trans - 765th Trans Bn - Long Thanh RVN
To all,
Say thank you to a veteran today they gave you that right. As I write there is 5'6'' bronze statue being made in Utah for our forgotten Alaska Territorial Guards who defended Alaska during WWII. Since 1947 they were finally recognized as (5) years active duty US soldiers in 2003. Today many of them died and some who are living and served (15) years in other conflicts now with the (5) years ATG they have a total of (20) years! some are overdue back pay for their retirements and benefits which in some cases are still a fighting battle. May God bless them!
My church just sent out the following in an email. This seemed like a good place to post it and to say "Thank you" to all the evterans:
VETERAN'S DAY
" A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life,
wrote a blank check made payable to 'The United States of America '
for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'
That is Honor, and there are way too many people
in this country who no longer understand it.”
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