BLOOMFIELD – A new $2.7 million columbarium wall was dedicated Monday during Missouri Veterans Cemetery – Bloomfield’s annual Memorial Day ceremony.
The first columbarium wall at Bloomfield reached capacity in January 2020, according to the Missouri Veterans Commission. Construction on the new wall began in September 2020. Principal construction on the project was completed three months ahead of schedule.
Veterans, their families and friends gathered around the new columbarium wall as Kara Bone sang the national anthem to begin the ceremony. Representative Wayne Wallingford was the keynote speaker. Executive Director Paul Kirchhoff also delivered remarks during the ceremony.
“Today, all across our nation, the citizens and veterans of this nation gather to pay homage and honor America’s finest, to the heroes who gave their lives in defense of our country and the freedoms we all hold dear,” Wallingford said. “By giving up their tomorrow they have ensured our today.”
“It is an honor to be part of the dedication of this columbarium wall that serves as a final resting place for these heroes,” Kirchhoff said. “It is a privilege to be in the presence of the family members of our state and nation’s heroes. Thank you all for coming out to pay homage to these individuals.”
The project was funded through the Veterans Commission Capital Improvement Trust Fund and is 100% reimbursable by the Veterans Administration through the Veterans Cemetery Grant Program.
The committal shelter originally had an existing two attached columbarium walls, which contained 800 niches for the interment of cremains.
The Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield conducted its first interment on Sept. 29, 2003. The cemetery has an approximate capacity of 27,000 gravesites. The cemetery is located on 65 acres.
The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program.