WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced today that $671,957 from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been awarded for the expansion of the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale.

With the closest National Veterans Cemetery approximately 154 miles away in Bourne, MA and the closest Maine State Veterans Cemetery nearly 89 miles away in Augusta, this grant is critical to providing continued service for the nearly 40,000 Veterans and their families in Maine.

“Providing and preserving the final resting place for those who answered the call of duty is a solemn responsibility,” Senators Collins and King said in a joint statement. “This funding will support the expansion of Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale so that it can continue to serve Maine's Veterans and their families.”

In total, this grant will fund the construction of 255 preplaced crypts, landscaping, irrigation, and supporting infrastructure.

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