Gov. Evers Announces Wisconsin Awarded $3 Million for Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery Expansion

MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers announced today that he has been notified by the US Department of Veterans Affairs that it is awarding $3,320,300 to the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (WDVA) to expand the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery at King.

“Like all Wisconsinites, I am grateful for the service and sacrifice of our servicemembers,” Gov. Evers said. “As a state, we work diligently to ensure that veterans have access to benefits and services from the time they leave service to the moment they are laid to rest. Providing an honorable and dignified resting place for our veterans and the family members who supported them is the least we can do for our nation’s heroes.”

The grant will allow the WDVA to construct 428 pre-placed crypts, a flag assembly area, a committal service shelter, irrigation, and supporting infrastructure at the cemetery. These improvements will help ensure adequate resources for future burial needs.

“Our Wisconsin Veterans Cemeteries are beautiful and peaceful resting places,” WDVA Secretary Mary Kolar said. “We are happy to be able to make these improvements that will ensure that veterans and families will continue to be able to use these wonderful facilities for years to come.”

The King cemetery is Wisconsin’s first state veterans cemetery. It opened in June of 1888 with the burial of a Civil War veteran. In addition to veterans from the Civil War, it is the final resting place for veterans of the Indian Wars, Spanish American War, World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam and Persian Gulf War, as well as peacetime veterans. More than 8,000 veterans and their dependents have been buried in the cemetery at King since its inception.

The WDVA operates three veterans memorial cemeteries located at King, Spooner, and Union Grove. Veterans, spouses, and dependent children may be eligible for burial or memorialization at Wisconsin’s veterans cemeteries. To determine eligibility, visit www.MyWisVets.com.

The WDVA submitted the funding request to the VA Veterans Cemetery Grant Program in May 2021.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.