Interior Alaska News

U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan has expressed approval of a recent decision by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to allow Alaska to apply for significant grant funding. This funding, offered through the Veterans Cemetery Grants Program (VCGP), is intended for establishing Alaska's first state-granted cemetery for veterans.

The announcement marks the culmination of extensive collaboration among Senator Sullivan's office, the Alaskan veteran community, and the VA. It also includes language from Senator Sullivan in the annual military construction appropriations bill report, which mandates that the VCGP prioritize states lacking a state-granted VA cemetery.

In November 2024, Senator Sullivan highlighted difficulties posed by a uniform grant formula that had previously hindered Alaska from accessing program benefits. The planned cemetery will be located in Fairbanks, with planning efforts being coordinated between the VA and the Alaska State Office of Veterans Affairs.

"Alaska is known for our service-minded patriotism and is the proud home of the highest number of veterans per-capita in the country," stated Senator Sullivan. "At the core of this service and sacrifice is the belief that every American veteran – no matter where they live – deserves a peaceful final resting place of honor. This grant finally recognizes Alaska’s unique needs and ensures our veterans have a state-granted cemetery commemorating their service and sacrifice, and the right to burial in the place they call home."

Senator Sullivan also extended his gratitude to "all the persistent, patriotic Alaska veterans in the Interior who worked with me and my team for several years to make this happen."