The state’s four veterans’ cemeteries in Fort Dodge, WaKeeney, Winfield, and Fort Riley received the “Excellence of Appearance Award” today from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Veterans Cemetery Grants Service (VCGS), and National Cemetery Administration (NCA).

“This is a great honor.  The state of Kansas has four great veterans’ cemeteries that provide excellent options for the veterans and their eligible dependents,” Gregg Burden, Executive Director of the Kansas Commission on Veterans’ Affairs (KCVA).

The state received $19.3 million dollars from the Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Cemetery Grants Service and National Cemetery Administration, for the construction of the four State Veterans’ Cemeteries.

In 2002, the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Dodge was dedicated and opened, and in 2004, the Kansas Veterans’ Cemeteries at WaKeeney and Winfield were dedicated and opened. In 2009, the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery at Fort Riley was dedicated and opened.