Missouri Veterans Commission News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2013

Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery to be Awarded Excellence in Appearance Award from U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

The State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville, MO will receive the Excellence in Appearance Award from the US Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA) Veterans Cemetery Grants Program Director Joshua DeLeon at a ceremony at 1 p.m. on March 21st at the Jacksonville Cemetery, 1479 County Road 1675 Jacksonville, MO 65260.
State Veterans Cemeteries are reviewed every three years by the USDVA and inspected on a number of items including headstone alignment, turf conditions, drainage, building and equipment maintenance, and general appearance. The Excellence in Appearance Award is only given to those cemeteries that meet or exceed the requirements of the triennial review.
Stan Baughn, Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Program Director said, "This honor is very difficult to achieve. Of the over 80 National Cemetery Administration funded State Veterans Cemeteries across the country less than 10 percent have achieved this award and the Jacksonville Cemetery Staff under the leadership of Director Larry Carmer has worked diligently to maintain the high standards required to achieve this prestigious honor.”
Mr. DeLeon will be visiting the State Veterans Cemetery in Higginsville, Missouri on the morning of the 21st before travelling to Jacksonville to present the award. He will continue on to visit the State Veterans Cemetery located at Fort Leonard Wood the next day.
The Missouri Veterans Commission, a state agency, operates seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program.  The Commission is committed to honoring and serving Missouri's Veterans whose dedication and sacrifices have preserved our nation and its freedoms.  For more information about the Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call 573-751-3779, online at www.mvc.dps.mo.gov, or facebook.com/MissouriVeteransCommission.
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For more information, call 573-522-1421 or e-mail Daniel.Bell@mvc.dps.mo.gov