Construction for the Southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery is nearly complete. The expected completion for the Cemetery is scheduled for fall 2015. Since construction began in October, 2013, much of the Cemetery has been successfully finished while the rest is well on its way. According to Minnesota State Veterans Cemeteries Director, David P. Swantek, to date 80 percent of the overall project is already done. General earthwork, roadways, and installation of utilities and pre-placed crypts for casket burials has been completed. Cemetery buildings, final site work, irrigation system installation, and landscaping are all that remain.

The new cemetery located in Preston, Minnesota is Minnesota's second State Veterans Cemetery. The overall project cost is $10.1 million. In October 2013, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs received approval for a grant from the National Cemetery Administration for the project. The land was donated by Fillmore County.

A major benefit of Southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery will be allowing Veterans to have their final resting place closer to home. Chuck Amunrud told Minnesota Public Radio in 2013, "My father is interred at Fort Snelling [National Cemetery] in Minneapolis and to go visit his grave is quite a task. It takes the whole day and it's such an expansive area up there, you nearly need directions each time you go up there to make sure 'Well, I am in the right area." Southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery is about creating accessibility to Veterans in a different part of the state. For many located in the Southeastern sector, the nearest Veterans cemetery is Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, a Federal cemetery located approximately 120 miles away.

Burials at the Southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery are zero cost to Veterans. Spouses and eligible dependents can be buried on the grounds for a fee of $700. Veterans are encouraged to pre-register in order to ensure eligibility in advance and to decrease the likelihood of potential difficulties later on. Southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery provides the options of either gravesite or Columbarium Niche, a pre-placed grave liner, a headstone or niche cover, and perpetual care.

For more information /mdva/memorials/stateveteranscemeteries/minnesota-state-veterans-cemetery-preston.jspvisit our Southeast Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery webpage.

4/7/15: Note - Access into the new Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston is a construction entrance and is NOT open to the public.

We understand and appreciate the anticipation of this new facility, however in the interest of public safety and liability for the general contractor and the State of Minnesota we ask that the general public wait until the official opening of the cemetery to drive thru the property.

The opening of the new cemetery is now estimated to be in September.