Rep. Salazar pays Veterans Day visit to Georgia National Cemetery

Press Release

Rep. Salazar pays Veterans Day visit to Georgia National Cemetery

Meets with V.A. Undersecretary of Memorial Affairs on need for Southern Colorado National Cemetery

WASHINGTON, D.C. -Rep. John T. Salazar announced that he spent Veterans Day at the Georgia National Cemetery discussing the need for a National Cemetery in Southern Colorado with the Undersecretary of Veterans' Affairs.

"The Georgia National Cemetery is truly a testament to the veterans of our Armed Forces. I'm grateful for Undersecretary Tuerk's invitation to tour the property and very pleased that he understands that the veterans of Colorado have a need for a new cemetery," said Rep. Salazar.

As one of the newest cemeteries in the National Cemetery system, the 775-acre cemetery lies over 40 miles north of Atlanta and offers views of the Blue Ridge Mountains and Lake Allatoona. The entire 775 acre site was donated to the V.A. by a local veteran. "The Georgia project is the largest expansion of veterans' cemeteries since the Civil War, and was only made possible through the generosity of a local World War II veteran," said Rep. Salazar.

Rep. Salazar authored H.R. 1660 earlier this year to authorize the Department of Veterans' Affairs to construct a National Cemetery in Southern Colorado. Through the leadership of Rep. Salazar, and the hard work of the entire Colorado Congressional delegation, the legislation passed the full U.S. House of Representatives and now awaits action by the U.S. Senate.

"As I looked out across the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it was very easy to imagine the Georgia cemetery on the high plains of Colorado, in the shadow of Pike's Peak," Rep. Salazar added.

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