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decorahnews.com special series: What veterans need to know about veterans cemeteries

Posted: Sun, Apr 13, 2014 5:12 PM
A map of the new MInnesota Veterans Cemetery near Preston

(Our three-part series of stories on veterans cemeteries concludes with this report):

Winneshiek County veterans--and there are roughly 1,400 of them--now have several choices if they want to be buried in a veterans cemetery.  The Iowa Veterans Cemetery near Van Meter, just west of Des Moines, remains an option--but an option that is four hours away.  The news MInnesota Veterans Cemetery near Preston will be less than 45 minutes away when it opens next spring.

Winneshiek County Veterans Affairs Administrator Faith Hlubek says the best approach veterans can take is to go to their local VA office.  In the case of Winneshiek County residents, that's the office in the Courthouse in Decorah.  But Hlubek says not every VA Office is in a courthouse--it's best to get an address for your county's office.

Once you are at your county VA Office, the workers there can lead you through your options and can help you fill out an application.  Some veterans cemeteries--including the Iowa Veterans Cemetery--allow you to preregister for a cemetery plot.

If your application is approved, your family will still be responsible for paying funeral arrangements.  The Veterans Administration pays burial costs for eligible veterans and charges just a $300 fee for a spouse or dependent child.

Not surprisingly, however, there is some paperwork involved.  The local VA Office can tell you what documents are needed and can work with your family to make sure any application is complete.