Gov. Susana Martinez is proposing that New Mexico establish several veterans cemeteries in rural areas of the state.
Martinez outlined her plan on Tuesday for providing more burial options for veterans and their spouses than the national cemeteries in Santa Fe and at Fort Bayard in New Mexico and the Fort Bliss National Cemetery in Texas outside of El Paso.
The governor said many families have to travel long distances for a burial at a national cemetery.
Martinez said the state will prepare a plan for initially creating three to four smaller cemeteries and will apply for a federal grant from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
The governor estimated at least $390,000 in state start-up money will be needed and her administration plans to ask the Legislature for the funding.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.