New Veteran's Cemetery Awaits Federal Funding

The new Alabama State Veteran's Memorial Cemetery in Spanish Fort could be only about a year from opening. A Bay Minette man, and veteran of World War II says he would consider it an honor to be buried there.

Winters Thomas told News 5 that at 87, he hopes he has a few years left. But he says he hopes the cemetery is completed by the time he's ready.

Thomas joined in Army and fought in the battle of Okinawa. He remained in the Alabama National Guard until retirement at age 60.

The Veteran's Cemetery will be built adjacent to the existing historic Saluda Hill Cemetery on Highway 225, across from Blakely State Park. One of the men behind the effort to establish the cemetery in Spanish Fort is Dr. Barry Booth, who donated land for the effort. He says it should take about a year of construction before it is ready for the first veteran's to be interred there.

Alabama Veteran's Affairs is waiting on approval of some $7 million in federal funding to begin construction. They should find out about that by next month. Construction could then begin as early as October.