PAYING RESPECTS Families Thankful For New Veterans Cemetery
Reported by: Kallie Cart
Videographer: Matt Durrett
Web Producer: Kallie Cart
Reported: Nov. 12, 2012 5:49 PM EST
Updated: Nov. 12, 2012 6:02 PM EST
EYEWITNESS ONLINE WEBCAST VIDEO C L I C K T O P L A Y
Institute
, Kanawha County
, West Virginia
Although Veterans Day was officially Sunday, many people continued to observe the holiday on Monday, honoring those who have served our country. And for the first year ever, the state Veterans Cemetery is open.
The Donel C. Kinnard Memorial State Veterans Cemetery is the only state-operated cemetery in West Virginia for veterans and for many families they say there is no greater, final honor for their loved ones.
"We are very proud of his service, and he was very proud to have been in the Air Force," Mazie Groves of Charleston said.
Groves and her daughter, Wilma, were visiting the grave site of her husband, Rex Groves, on Monday. The former U.S. Airman 1st Class died earlier this year at the age of 76. He was among the first to be buried in the veterans cemetery.
Wilma Groves describes it as “a beautiful place, very peaceful, you can reflect."
Mazie Groves said, "I just sit up here with him, and it’s just so nice and peaceful."
After years of work, the state veterans cemetery in Institute opened on Memorial Day. So far, 45 people have been buried in the cemetery, it can accommodate 60,000.
For members of the Groves family, they say the cemetery was a comfort when they needed it most.
"I know he would have enjoyed being with his fellow Air Force veterans, Army veterans, just veterans," Mazie Groves said.
The cemetery is open to any member of the armed forces who dies in the line of duty or who serves two years and is honorably discharged; family members may also qualify to be buried there. Contact the West Virginia Department of Veterans Assistance for more information.
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