Landrieu: Nearly $8.4M in Federal Funds Coming to Slidell for New Veterans Cemetery
WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today announced an $8,383,591 grant for the establishment of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery in Slidell, La. For Louisiana veterans and their families, the closest national cemetery in Baton Rouge is about 78 miles away. The closest state cemetery is in Newton, Mississippi, which is approximately 186 miles away. This new cemetery will provide improved and more convenient services for local military families.
The grant was awarded by the Department of Veterans Affairs. As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Sen. Landrieu led in the passage of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations bill, which provides these funds.
"After sacrificing to defend and protect our country, our military families should not have to travel 100 miles or more for cemetery services or to visit the graves of their loved ones," Sen. Landrieu said. "Louisiana has a proud tradition of serving our nation and these brave men and women deserve the best possible services and quality of life. This federal grant will go a long way towards the completion of the Southeast Louisiana Veterans Cemetery so that our veterans can access the local services they deserve."
The grants will fund the construction of a main entrance, an administration building, a maintenance facility, roads and other critical infrastructure for the cemetery.
Read the full grant announcement here.
- 30 -
