The New York State Legislature has voted to establish a State run veterans cemetery system, an effort long championed by State Senator Mike Nozzolio. Nozzolio helped lead the fight to adopt legislation to establish official State Veterans Cemeteries in New York and allow them to receive State and federal recognition and support.  For years, Senator Nozzolio has worked hard to secure official State and National recognition for the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

“This legislation creates the opportunity for Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery to become an officially recognized New York State Veterans Cemetery, and receive additional assistance from the newly created New York State Veterans Remembrance and Cemetery Maintenance and Operation Fund, as well as grants from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs,” said Senator Mike Nozzolio.  “Those who have borne the cost for our freedoms deserve such a place of dignity for their final resting place.  Now, we will have the opportunity to work with the federal government to honor those veterans who have given so much for our freedom by designating Sampson as an official New York State Veterans Cemetery.”

The Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located on the hallowed ground of the former Sampson Naval and Air Force bases, where over one million sailors and airmen trained in preparation for battle to defend the United States of America.  The Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery was dedicated on July 30th 2011 and is the final resting place for over 100 veterans and their family members.  The Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery is located in Romulus, New York, a tremendously beautiful setting on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake, and within the shadow of the nationally recognized birthplace of Memorial Day in Waterloo.

Here is a video of Nozzolio’s remarks from the New York State Senate floor.

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs State Cemetery Program has helped establish, expand and  improve veterans cemeteries in 42 states and territories and has provided nearly 28,000 burials in 2010 alone. This program, which is designed to complement the 131 National Veterans Cemeteries across the country,  has helped to establish, expand or improve 79 State recognized Veterans Cemeteries, awarding grants totaling more than $438 million.  New York has never participated in this federally-sponsored program.   Senator Nozzolio’s recently enacted legislation will allow New York to join this federally recognized State Veterans Cemetery program and receive important funding and resources.

“There are many components to receiving official State and National recognition, but one of the most important is the support of local communities. Our region has demonstrated time and again its support for the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery and this continued support will be critical as we move forward and seek official State and National recognition for the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery.  I will continue my aggressive efforts on behalf of our veterans to secure official recognition for the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery,” concluded Senator Mike Nozzolio.

For more information on the Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery contact Bill Yale, Executive Director of the Sampson Cemetery at 607-379-0197 or visit the website at www.sampsonveteranscemetery.com