CARIBOU, Maine — The chairman of the organization that oversees the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery said last week he was “excited” to hear about the nearly $900,000 in federal funding awarded to the local facility to add more burial slots for veterans and their spouses.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs awarded an $861,232 grant for a planned expansion at the cemetery, members of Maine’s congressional delegation announced July 7.
The money will allow the cemetery to purchase an additional 576 cremation niches and fund the purchase of 90 double-depth crypts, according to Harry Hafford, chairman of the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery Corp.
Hafford said Tuesday he was especially happy about funding for the double depth crypts, which would allow a veteran and spouse to be layered in the same crypt, which is new to the cemetery. The new interment option also cuts out the mandated expense of a burial vault, he said.
“The sun is shining on the Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery today,” he said.
He added that with the 576 additional cremation niches, the cemetery would be set for space for the next 10 years.
The 20-acre cemetery located off Lombard Road in Caribou was dedicated in June 2003. It was a four-year effort from the time the corporation was formed in 1999 to the dedication of the $3 million project. The land for the cemetery was donated by John and Joyce Noble of Caribou.
Currently, the cemetery has the capacity for more than 10,000 full body burials and more than 1,500 cremations, according to the corporation’s website.
“Northern Maine Veterans’ Cemetery in Caribou does an outstanding job immortalizing our veterans,” U.S. Rep. Bruce Poliquin said in a statement issued July 7. “This grant will help them expand their grounds and continue their tradition of honoring our local heroes.”
In a separate joint news release, U.S. Sens. Susan Collins and Angus King said, “Preserving the hallowed grounds where those who answered the call of duty are laid to rest is a solemn responsibility.”
The closest other state veterans cemetery is nearly 250 miles away in Augusta.
