Northern Michigan Veterans’ cemetery?

WASHINGTON, DC:  Dr. Dan Benishek (MI-01) recently continued his push for constructing a State of Michigan veterans’ cemetery in the Upper Peninsula and encouraged Michigan Governor Rick Snyder to help with the effort.

“I was pleased to speak with Governor Snyder recently about getting a veterans’ cemetery in the U.P. This issue is something that a lot of veterans in our area are very passionate about and my office has been working really hard to get it moving. I am hopeful that by working closely with our veteran organizations, as well as local and state officials we can make this idea a reality,” said Dr. Benishek, a general surgeon who worked at the Iron Mountain VA Medical Center for 20 years.

While population thresholds prevent the establishment of a national veterans’ cemetery in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) can provide up to 100 percent of the development cost of a state veterans’ cemetery through grants. Dr. Benishek has been leading the effort to coordinate between the VA and leaders in Michigan on this project to secure a burial option for Northern Michigan’s veterans that is worthy of their service and sacrifice.