News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Those who serve local veterans are excited that the region will soon have a state cemetery to honor fallen solders. .
The land purchased for the cemetery is located near Sparta’s Old Country Club Road. White County Veterans Service Officer Matt Elmore said having the burial ground just five minutes from the Veteran Services office makes it even better.
“I think it is a real honor for White County,” Elmore said. “The cemetery will provide a final resting place and honor our Upper Cumberland heroes. Currently, a veteran would have to be buried 75 miles away from the Upper Cumberland area.”
An estimated 20,000 veterans could benefit from the new location. Overton County Veterans Service Officer Christopher Barlow said he is glad the state has struck a deal.
“I am tickled to death with it,” Barlow said. “It is long over due. I think it has been a long process. It has taken a lot of time and effort on a lot of people. I am just glad it is finally coming to fruition.”
Both counties donated $10 for every veteran to the Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery Association to help with the purchase. The Tennessee Department of Veterans Services finalized the deal for the 127 acres last week.
A deal for 93-acres adjacent to I-40 in Cumberland County fell apart in April after the owner raised their original asking price.
