Augusta, GA
Augustans travel to Atlanta to push for veterans cemetery here
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) – On Tuesday, a group of Augusta veterans and former Mayor Bob Young went to Atlanta to push for a local veterans cemetery.
It was still dark outside when they boarded a bus taking them to Atlanta to meet with various legislative members and leadership from the Georgia Department of Veterans Services.
They are asking for $12 million from the state to help get the project going.
But Department of Veterans Affairs rules penalize Augusta because of its proximity to existing veterans cemeteries at Fort Jackson and Milledgeville.
One of the veterans joining the group says a state cemetery is greatly needed in the Augusta area.
“Here in Augusta, we have two VA hospitals but we unfortunately do not have a VA cemetery to support all of these wonderful veterans when they have passed away,” Velma Lyons said.
Copyright 2024 WRDW/WAGT. All rights reserved.