Leaders break ground on new veterans cemetery in Parkers Crossroads

October 12, 2016

PARKERS CROSSROADS, Tenn. — The governor made his way to West Tennessee to honor the heroes who have given their all to protect this country, and to participate in the groundbreaking of a multi-million dollar project for our West Tennessee veterans to have a final resting place.

The future Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads drew hundreds of veterans and community leaders for the historic event.

“In Tennessee, over 10 percent of our adult citizens are veterans, and we want to do everything we can to pay tribute to them and also for when they do pass, make it so it’s convenient for their loved ones to visit,” Gov. Bill Haslam said. “That’s why we have tried to increase the number of veterans cemeteries across the state.”

The 132-acre Tennessee State Veterans Cemetery at Parkers Crossroads will be located at 693 Wildersville Road and will serve more than 45,000 veterans and their families within 17 counties in West Tennessee.

“All of us, we have pulled together and have tried to pick what is the best location and what would be best for the veterans,” said Chris Dangler, chairman of the steering committee for the cemetery.

Officials say the cemetery will be available to veterans free of charge, and they hope for the cemetery to become a place of reflection and reverence for people to visit for years to come to honor our nation’s finest.

“As I stop and I think about it, we are losing our heroes,” Henderson County Mayor Dan Hughes said. “Now we are preparing a place for lasting tribute forever. May this place always be considered a place for heroes.”

The Tennessee counties within a 75-mile radius of the proposed cemetery include Benton, Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Decatur, Gibson, Hardeman, Hardin, Haywood, Henderson, Henry, Lewis, McNairy, Madison, Perry, Wayne and Weakley counties.

There currently are two state veterans cemeteries in Knoxville, one in Nashville and one in Memphis.

Officials expect construction to be finished around spring of 2018.