Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery to Expand

Massachusetts Veterans Cemetery to Expand

WASHINGTON (June 8, 2009) -- To expand burial capacity at the
Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) has awarded a Boston firm a design contract to develop
another section of the cemetery.

"The expansion of Massachusetts National Cemetery will ensure the
Veterans of this community continue to be honored for their military
service," Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs Steve Muro said.
"A grateful nation provides this beautiful cemetery as a lasting tribute
to their sacrifice and memory."

The contract for $1.4 million was awarded to Cubellis, Inc. The design
documents will be completed in late 2010 or early 2011.

The 25-acre development is the third for the cemetery, which opened in
1980, and will provide another 10 years of burial spaces. It will
include approximately 8,500 pre-placed crypts for casket burials, 1,000
in-ground cremation burial sites and 3,800 columbaria niches, also for
cremation remains.

The project also will include a new administration building; a public
information center with an electronic gravesite locator and public
restrooms; a new maintenance building; renovation of existing
maintenance structures; systems for water distribution, irrigation and
utilities; and roads, signage and landscaping.

In the midst of the largest cemetery expansion since the Civil War, VA
operates 128 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33
soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than three million Americans,
including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA's
national cemeteries.

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and
eligible dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. Other
burial benefits available for all eligible Veterans, whether buried in a
national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a
Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker.

Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery
offices, from the Internet at www.cem.va.gov

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