Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King announced that the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery in Springvale has been awarded $2,035,202 for an expansion project that will enable the cemetery to serve approximately 40,000 Veterans, their spouses, and eligible family members.  This funding was awarded through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP).

“The brave men and women of our military make countless sacrifices to defend our nation,” said Senators Collins and King in joint statement.  “We welcome this important funding from the Department of Veterans Affairs, which will make much needed improvements to the Southern Maine Veterans Cemetery so that family and friends have a place to honor their loved ones.”

This project will develop approximately 1.6 acres through the construction of 554 pre-placed crypts, 234 green burial gravesites, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure. 

The VCGP was established in 1978 to complement VA’s National Cemetery Administration. The program assists states, territories and federally recognized tribal governments in providing gravesites for Veterans in those areas where VA’s national cemeteries cannot fully satisfy their burial needs.