Van Hollen, Cardin, Hoyer Announce more than $8 Million for Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery

U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Ben Cardin and Representative Steny Hoyer (all D-Md.) applaud the recent award of more than $8 million in federal funding for a significant expansion of the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration (NCA). These federal funds will support the construction of 6,000 pre-placed crypts, 500 standard burial plots, roads, irrigation, landscaping, and supporting infrastructure. 

“We owe a deep debt of gratitude to the men and women who have fought for our country. Expanding the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery will allow us to continue to honor the sacrifice of our veterans and their families, and give their loved ones a place to commemorate their lives and service to our country,” said Senator Van Hollen, a member of the Budget and Appropriations Committees. “We must keep working to ensure our veterans and their families have access to the services and honors they’ve earned.”

“The men and women who have served in our military deserve our gratitude not only in our words, but in our actions. The expansion of Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery here in Maryland will make sure that veterans and their eligible family members receive an appropriately honorable burial, recognizing their indelible service and sacrifice to our nation,” said Senator Cardin.

“I’m pleased that the Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded this important funding to the Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery,” said Congressman Hoyer. “These funds will allow for the expansion of the cemetery and ensure it is kept in good repair. We must ensure our veterans receive the full honors they deserve.”

The VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP) is designed to complement the 138 VA national cemeteries. Since its inception 41 years ago, the VCGP has awarded grants totaling more than $817 million to establish, expand, improve, or operate and maintain 115 state and tribal Veterans cemeteries. These grant-funded cemeteries provided more than 39,000 burials in 2018.

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