With Memorial Day on the horizon, the interim appropriations committee took look at the South Dakota Veterans Cemetery at its latest meeting.
On the agenda – potential land donations for the Sioux Falls facility.
The federally funded cemetery is preparing for its fourth Memorial Day and was initially established following a land donation from Sioux Falls city government.
Department of Veterans Affairs deputy secretary Aaron Pollard explained the 74-acre cemetery is in talks for potential additional expansions.
“In 2022 we accepted an additional gifting of land from the city of Sioux Falls of approximately 14 acres which is just south of the veterans’ cemetery," Pollard said. "During that time, we were also having discussion with the city about a parcel that is north of the cemetery. While we explored this as a possibility and potential for donation, there was never any agreement.”
Rep. Chris Karr, a Sioux Falls Republican, wondered about the potential for additional expansions. Namely, the inclusion of a greenspace adjacent to the cemetery itself.
“Those 130 acres, they were willing to donate it no strings connected for that vets' cemetery for its future use as a possible nature area," Karr said.
Pollard said he can’t speak to the matter without a formal offer on the table from the community.
Further, he said there isn’t any current need for expansion of the site, and the current layout is expected to offer enough space for the next 100 years.
However, Karr continued to push for the department to look further into the space.
“Other cemeteries have implemented across the country some nature areas, reflection areas, things of that nature," Karr said. "So, I think it’s something worth looking into further and go, ‘where did this fall apart?’ To me, it seems like a no-brainer.”
The cemetery is hosting a public ceremony at noon on Memorial Day.