Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery Plans for the Future

$5 Million Construction Project Will Be Coming to a Close

Racine County, WI – Since it opened over 13 years ago, Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) near Union Grove has experienced significant growth. “We oversee more than 800 interments annually,” says Director Marian Lewandowski, Jr. That makes SWVMC the fifth busiest state veterans’ cemetery in the nation. Currently there are 74 state cemeteries in operation throughout the United States.

To accommodate increasing demand and to safeguard existing gravesites, SWVMC is undergoing a comprehensive expansion project with a price tag of over $5 million. Funding for the project is provided under the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) State Cemetery Grants Program. The cemetery is sited on 105 acres total and will increase from its current size of 45 developed acres to 80 developed acres.

The expansion project includes new columbaria, standard burial plots, pre-placed crypts, in-ground cremation gravesites, a scattering garden, new roads, irrigation, landscaping, an additional retention pond and extensive supporting infrastructure. The project will ensure capacity for future burial for the next eight to ten years.

Interment Gardens I and J Receive Special Attention

Much of the cemetery has continued to operate normally throughout the expansion project. However, a significant portion known as Interment Gardens I and J is experiencing more extensive work. Improvements to these existing areas were recommended by local and federal project engineers. A new storm water drainage system and proper grading will help manage water flow through the cemetery, which has been an issue.

Improvements will help protect the integrity of these areas for years to come and prepare for continued expansion. Headstones in these areas of the cemetery were removed this past fall in order to protect them from damage as a new layer of soil is added to the area to ensure proper grading. Prior to removal, the entire section was carefully surveyed using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology. Each grave marker was inventoried and its exact location recorded. Markers are being stored safely onsite.

Improvements to Interment Gardens I and J have required the patience and understanding of over 400 family members with loved ones buried at SWVMC. Family members were notified of the project last fall. In addition, signs and notifications have been posted at the cemetery. Understandably, some family members are impatient for work to finish so they can again visit the graves.

Director Lewandowski is sympathetic to the concerns of family members. “Every one of our contractors and staff understand the urgency,” he says. “We appreciate the patience the families have shown. We all want this project finished successfully and finished soon. We know our families will be pleased with the end results.”

Frost and Rain Have Been Issues, but Project Nearing Completion

The project grant was approved in the fall of last year and work started soon after. The project focused first on Interment Gardens I and J, hoping to complete work in existing areas before moving on to the expansion project. Unfortunately, frost halted work on headstone removal earlier than expected. Work to this area was limited over the winter months rather than risk damage to grave markers.

Large amounts of rain this spring posed further challenges. Each major rainfall requires two to three days for the area to dry before work can restart. Despite weather-related setbacks, the project is running only approximately two weeks behind schedule. Work in Interment Gardens I and J is expected to be completed by the end of summer and families may again begin visiting these areas once new turf is established, which may take several more weeks. The overall expansion project is expected to be substantially completed in December 2010.

For more information about Wisconsin Veterans Cemeteries and the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, please visit www.WisVets.com, or call WDVA toll-free at 1-800-WIS-VETS (947-8387).

Posted @ 10:04 p.m.