Chandler shifts effort to build national cemetery

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) _ Plans to build a national cemetery in this Lincoln County city have been put on hold as proponents shift their emphasis to a state cemetery for veterans. <br/><br/>Ben Walkingstick,

Sunday, October 23rd 2005, 12:21 pm

By: News On 6

CHANDLER, Okla. (AP) _ Plans to build a national cemetery in this Lincoln County city have been put on hold as proponents shift their emphasis to a state cemetery for veterans.

Ben Walkingstick, a Chandler banker and volunteer in the effort, said there is a need to provide affordable burial for veterans near their homes. But federal officials told Walkingstick last month that Chandler is not far enough from the national cemetery in Elgin to qualify for a new national cemetery.

Oklahoma City has a veterans cemetery that has been full for several years. The Fort Sill National Cemetery opened in November 2001 in Elgin, but the greatest need is in the Oklahoma City area, said Oklahoma County Clerk Carolynn Caudill, who supports the national cemetery effort.

Chandler is centrally located to about 98 percent of Oklahomans and to the largest veteran populations in the state, Caudill said. About 217,990 veterans are within a 75-mile radius of Chandler. She said about 34 percent are older than 65.

Walkingstick said federal funds are available to help build the cemetery, estimated to cost up to $8 million. Caudill said she would be willing to help secure funds if she was sure veterans groups would support a state cemetery.

State veterans groups may not support it because the state would have to pay maintenance costs, Caudill said. Some groups may not want to risk potential funding cuts of other veterans programs to pay cemetery costs, she said.

The cemetery would cost about $172,000 a year to maintain and operate. About $75,000 would be generated in burial allowances paid by the federal government, and $100,000 would be the state's responsibility.

A 480-acre tract owned by the state School Land Commission has been identified as a possible site. The undeveloped acreage is adjacent to the Turner Turnpike, so the cemetery would be visible and easily accessible from the tollway.

The cemetery would require approval by the Oklahoma Legislature.