News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
The Upper Cumberland State Veterans Cemetery Association will meet Friday to provide an update on efforts to bring a state veterans cemetery to the Upper Cumberland.
Association representative Chuck Mateyka said the Tennessee Department of Veterans Services has not yet located land that’s suitable for the project.
“We didn’t really know when we started this project, but there are a number of state and federal rules and regulations with cemeteries and they have to be a certain distance from other veterans cemeteries,” Mateyka said. “To support one here in the Upper Cumberland we are pretty much focusing our efforts here in Putnam County, the southern part of Overton County, and the northern part of White County.”
Mateyka said the association set a $300,000 fundraising goal to help purchase the land once it’s identified. They have asked all 14 county governments in the Upper Cumberland to provide $10 for each veteran in those counties.
“Right now we’re approaching the $150,000 mark for the goal,” Mateyka said. “A large portion of that is through individual donations.”
You can donate by visiting the association’s website.
Friday’s meeting will take place at 9:00 a.m. inside the Veterans Memorial Building on East Spring Street in Cookeville.
