WASHINGTON –
U.S.
Senators Benjamin L. Cardin and
Barbara A. Mikulski (both D-MD) announced today that the Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery in Prince George’s County will receive $3,743,613 from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for its expansion.
 

The Veterans Cemetery is currently operating in its last available burial section and space will be exhausted within three months.
  This grant will provide burial space for Maryland Veterans and their eligible dependents for approximately the next 12 years and also includes funds for the upkeep of the cemetery and a new maintenance building.

“We have a duty to provide all appropriate honors to the men and women who served honorably in our military, including burial in a veterans’ cemetery,” said Senator Cardin. “This expansion will make it possible to accommodate the needs of former members of our Armed Forces and their families.”

I am so thankful for the patriotism, commitment and sacrifice our veterans and their families have made for us.  This funding will help make sure they receive the respect they deserve from a grateful nation,” said Senator Mikulski.  “We must honor our military men and women who have served our country – not just with words, but with deeds.”

The Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery is the second busiest cemetery in
  Maryland with more than 830 burials a year.
  The expansion will provide 10,538 standard burial gravesites, 1,625 in-ground internment sites, and 1,104 niche columbarium for internment of ashes.
  Construction is expected to begin in late October and be completed by October 2008.