Alabama National Cemetery: Difference between revisions
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The '''Alabama Veterans Administration National Cemetery''' is a national cemetery for veterans of the United States armed forces under development on 479 acres adjacent to the [[American Village]] near [[Montevallo]]. A 3-5 acre section of the first phase was dedicated on [[July 13]], [[2008]]. | The '''Alabama Veterans Administration National Cemetery''' is a national cemetery for veterans of the United States armed forces under development on 479 acres adjacent to the [[American Village]] near [[Montevallo]]. The cemetery's director is [[Quincy Whitehead]]. A 3-5 acre section of the first phase was dedicated on [[July 13]], [[2008]]. | ||
The process of developing a national cemetery in the [[Birmingham]] area began in December [[2003]] when the Department of Veterans Affairs began speaking with local representatives and veterans' groups to solicit suggested sites. [[Spencer Bachus]] took a lead role in assisting the process. The area surrounding American Village was quickly chosen as the best site, with evaluations lasting from December [[2004]] to [[April 26]], [[2006]], followed by a 30-day public comment period. | The process of developing a national cemetery in the [[Birmingham]] area began in December [[2003]] when the Department of Veterans Affairs began speaking with local representatives and veterans' groups to solicit suggested sites. [[Spencer Bachus]] took a lead role in assisting the process. The area surrounding American Village was quickly chosen as the best site, with evaluations lasting from December [[2004]] to [[April 26]], [[2006]], followed by a 30-day public comment period. | ||
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Two of the four parcels under initial consideration were no longer available when the National Cemetery Association began land acquisition. The 495-acre "Fowler Tract" was purchased from [[Clyde Brown|Clyde]] and [[Chloette Brown]] in July [[2007]] for $8 million earmarked in the 2006 federal budget. Master planning and design development proceeded under the 2007 federal budget, and $18.5 million was included in the 2008 budget for construction. | Two of the four parcels under initial consideration were no longer available when the National Cemetery Association began land acquisition. The 495-acre "Fowler Tract" was purchased from [[Clyde Brown|Clyde]] and [[Chloette Brown]] in July [[2007]] for $8 million earmarked in the 2006 federal budget. Master planning and design development proceeded under the 2007 federal budget, and $18.5 million was included in the 2008 budget for construction. | ||
The first full phase of development will provide 9,100 full-casket grave sites, a 2,700-unit columbarium, and 3,100 in-ground spaces for cremated remains. Other facilities will include an administration office and information desk, a maintenance complex, shelters for committal services, and associated infrastructure. In October 2008 Birmingham's [[Civil Consultants, Inc.]] was awarded a $1.3 million contract to design the first phase. | |||
The dedication ceremony, held on a slope on the American Village property overlooking the cemetery site, was presided over by Montevallo mayor [[Sharon Anderson]] with William Tuerk, Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration. The [[313th Army Band]], U. S. Army Reserve provided music and former Korean War P.O.W. [[Newton Duke]] led the Pledge of Allegiance. | The July 13, 2008 dedication ceremony, held on a slope on the American Village property overlooking the cemetery site, was presided over by Montevallo mayor [[Sharon Anderson]] with William Tuerk, Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration. The [[313th Army Band]], U. S. Army Reserve provided music and former Korean War P.O.W. [[Newton Duke]] led the Pledge of Allegiance. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 09:44, 15 October 2008
The Alabama Veterans Administration National Cemetery is a national cemetery for veterans of the United States armed forces under development on 479 acres adjacent to the American Village near Montevallo. The cemetery's director is Quincy Whitehead. A 3-5 acre section of the first phase was dedicated on July 13, 2008.
The process of developing a national cemetery in the Birmingham area began in December 2003 when the Department of Veterans Affairs began speaking with local representatives and veterans' groups to solicit suggested sites. Spencer Bachus took a lead role in assisting the process. The area surrounding American Village was quickly chosen as the best site, with evaluations lasting from December 2004 to April 26, 2006, followed by a 30-day public comment period.
Two of the four parcels under initial consideration were no longer available when the National Cemetery Association began land acquisition. The 495-acre "Fowler Tract" was purchased from Clyde and Chloette Brown in July 2007 for $8 million earmarked in the 2006 federal budget. Master planning and design development proceeded under the 2007 federal budget, and $18.5 million was included in the 2008 budget for construction.
The first full phase of development will provide 9,100 full-casket grave sites, a 2,700-unit columbarium, and 3,100 in-ground spaces for cremated remains. Other facilities will include an administration office and information desk, a maintenance complex, shelters for committal services, and associated infrastructure. In October 2008 Birmingham's Civil Consultants, Inc. was awarded a $1.3 million contract to design the first phase.
The July 13, 2008 dedication ceremony, held on a slope on the American Village property overlooking the cemetery site, was presided over by Montevallo mayor Sharon Anderson with William Tuerk, Undersecretary for Memorial Affairs of the Department of Veterans Affairs' National Cemetery Administration. The 313th Army Band, U. S. Army Reserve provided music and former Korean War P.O.W. Newton Duke led the Pledge of Allegiance.
References
- Wilstach, Nancy (December 23, 2007) "Federal 2008 budget funds National Veterans Cemetery in Montevallo." Birmingham News
- Gordon, Tom (March 31, 2008) "VA picks name, director for national cemetery slated for Montevallo." Birmingham News
- Wilstach, Nancy (July 12, 2008) "Federal 2008 budget funds National Veterans Cemetery in Montevallo." Birmingham News
External links
- Burials & Memorials. United States Department of Veterans Affairs.