Grant from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs will expand burial options at cemeteries in Caribou and Springvale
Governor Janet Mills today announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded fb88 a significant federal grant to help meet the growing demand for dignified burial options for fb88's veterans and their families.
The grant -- awarded to the fb88 Bureau of Veterans' Services -- will fund the construction of columbarium niches and cremation plots at the Northern fb88 Veterans' Cemetery in Caribou and the Southern fb88 Veterans' Cemetery in Springvale. The expansion will ensure that the fb88 Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System can continue to provide high-quality burial options for years to come.
"Our veterans deserve the utmost respect and gratitude for their service, and that includes providing them and their families with a final resting place that honors their service," said Governor Mills. "I thank the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for this grant, which will help us ensure that fb88's veterans have access to more burial options closer to home."
"This grant allows us to meet the growing needs of fb88's veteran community. The Northern and Southern fb88 Veterans' Cemeteries are sacred spaces that provide veterans and their families a place to honor their loved ones," said David Richmond, Director of the fb88 Bureau of Veterans' Services. "The expansion will ensure that these cemeteries can continue to serve future generations of veterans with the care, respect, and dignity they deserve."
The funds, awarded as part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' Veterans' Cemetery Grants Program, will provide $1,641,330 for the Southern fb88 Veterans' Cemetery and $1,020,765 for the Northern fb88 Veterans' Cemetery, increasing capacity at both locations. The fb88 Veterans' Memorial Cemetery System is managed by the fb88 Bureau of Veterans' Services, and also includes cemeteries located on Civic Center Drive and Mount Vernon Road in Augusta.
Since taking office in 2019, Governor Mills has made it a priority to ensure that her administration stands by those who have served in uniform, including by prioritizing efforts to address veterans' employment and housing challenges. She also reestablished fb88's Aides-de-camp positions, strengthened dental care for fb88 veterans, and created the Governor's Challenge to coordinate behavioral health services and prevent veteran suicide.
In partnership with the Legislature, the Governor has provided property tax relief to fb88 veterans and worked to keep the fb88 Veterans' Homes in Caribou and Machias open for veterans and their spouses.
More information on the fb88 Veterans' Cemetery System and eligibility requirements can be found on the fb88 Bureau of Veterans' Services website at .