FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 30, 2010


Dedication Ceremony for Fort Leonard Wood State Veterans Cemetery to be Held September 13, 2010


The Dedication Ceremony for the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery - Fort Leonard Wood will be held Monday September 13, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. at the cemetery located at 25350 Highway H, Waynesville, Missouri, east of Interstate 44 at exit 156.  The public is invited to attend.
Guest Speakers include U.S. Representative Ike Skelton, Fort Leonard Wood Commanding General Major General David E. Quantock, State Senator Frank Barnitz, State Representative David Day, State Representative Don Wells, Missouri Veterans Commission Chairman John Comerford, and Waynesville Mayor Cliff Hammock.
The cemetery property was donated by the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center and Fort Leonard Wood and will occupy 229 acres.  Construction was funded by a $ 7.5 million federal grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The cemetery's initial construction consists of 25 acres, estimated to last 25 to 30 years prior to additional development being needed. The cemetery includes an administration building, maintenance facility, a committal shelter for conducting interment services, and a columbarium wall for cremation interment.     Due to extremely limited parking at the cemetery, general parking will be located just north of the turn off to the cemetery entrance. Shuttles will transport guests from the parking area to the cemetery.
The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, six 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 or access the Missouri Veterans Commission webpage at http://www.mvc.dps.mo.gov.



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For more information, call 573-522-1421 or e-mail Daniel.Bell@mvc.dps.mo.gov