Nebraska Celebrates Groundbreaking of Alliance Veterans Cemetery

(Alliance, Neb.) Gov. Dave Heineman was joined today by U.S. Rep. Adrian Smith and State Sen. LeRoy Louden of Ellsworth at the groundbreaking of the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery at Alliance.

“This day has been eagerly anticipated by the community of Alliance,” Gov. Heineman said. “I want to applaud the determination of the members of the High Plains Veterans’ Cemetery Task Force. Their commitment to seeing this project through is why we are here today. This will be a place for Nebraskans to pay tribute to the men and women who served this nation. It will ensure that we always remember the sacrifices they made for our freedom and that of people around the world.”

During the groundbreaking, Frank Salvas, director of the State Cemetery Grants Program for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), presented a check for $2.9 million for the first phase of construction on a 12-acre area. It will include more than 2,500 burial sites, roadways, walking paths, and an entry monument.

When complete, the cemetery is expected to accommodate 8,500 burial sites on 20 acres. The VA has committed approximately $5 million for the construction of Nebraska’s first state cemetery for veterans and their families.

The idea for the project began in 1995, when community leaders suggested the idea of a cemetery for veterans to the Alliance City Council. The city donated land that was part of the Alliance Air Base used to train paratroopers in the 1940’s.

In 2006, Sen. Louden sponsored LB 996, which established the Nebraska State Veteran Cemetery System and allowed the state to contribute to cemetery projects.

Louden said, “It is very fitting that this ground will soon become a memorial and final resting place for veterans. It was from here that men and women went to all parts of the world to overcome oppression. It was to this ground, more than 65 years ago, that Americans came from all parts of our nation for military training before leaving to serve in World War II.”

Smith said. “This is a great day for those brave men and women who have served our country – and the families who love them. Their sacrifices deserve every measure of honor. Our commitment to them should be as strong as their commitment to us.”

A combination of state and local funds raised by the High Plains Veterans’ Cemetery Task Force helped develop initial plans that were submitted for federal review. The project received the approval from the VA in July. The cemetery will be operated by the Nebraska Department of Veterans’ Affairs.