The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the National Cemetery Administration have joined forces and given the go-ahead nod to a "ceremonial enhancement area" within the Sarasota National Cemetery. The area will span almost 2-acres, will be used for ceremonies and celebrations, and will come with a $5.5 million price tag.
The announcement came from the Patterson Foundation, a private foundation. Never before has a private foundation funded this type of ceremonial enhancement.
The venue will be built in such a way so as to take advantage of the shade on the property and will display patriotic artwork alongside:
- tailored gardens;
- an 80-foot flagpole;
- permanent seating for 230 people;
- temporary seating for at least 990;
- berm-area seating for 1,370;
- a covered Rostrum for 24-30 people;
- lighting and amplification; and
- service war memorials.
The Patterson Foundation will provide an endowment to "offset replacement maintenance costs" the National Cemetery Administration will incur in caring for the ceremonial area. This is an innovative project and a gift to both veterans and their families, according to U.S. Rep. Vern Buchanan.
Construction of the ceremonial area will not begin until late next summer. This is the anticipated date for the completion of Phase 1 of Sarasota National Cemetery.
If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.
Category: Veterans' Disability
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