FORT STANTON, N.M. (AP) — New Mexico Gov. Susana Martinez has dedicated the new $5.7 million Veterans Cemetery in Fort Stanton that's expected to be completed in 2017.
The cemetery is the first of four proposed by Martinez for veterans who live in rural areas throughout the state.
The federal grant to establish the cemetery in Fort Stanton followed the $600,000 in initial funding the governor secured in the 2014 capital outplay bill.
The money will be used to plan, design and construct the Fort Stanton Veterans Cemetery and others in Angel Fire, Carlsbad and Gallup.
Wednesday's dedication took place at the existing Fort Stanton Merchant Marine and Military Cemetery. The new cemetery will be constructed on vacant land nearby.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs approved the Fort Stanton application earlier this year.
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