Missouri Veterans Cemetery Springfield

Happy Flag Day! Both President Wilson, in 1916, and President Coolidge, in 1927, issued proclamations asking for June 14 to be observed as the National Flag Day.... But it wasn't until August 3, 1949, that Congress approved the national observance, and President Harry Truman signed it into law. See more

Happy Birthday to the U.S. Army!

Our Veteran Service Officers Michele and David met with Veterans during The Patriot Tour's stop in Joplin to talk about available benefits and resources. To find out more visit mvc.dps.mo.gov/service/serviceofficer/ to find your local VSO.

Missouri was just ranked in the Top 10 best states for military retirees by WalletHub! I want to commend the partnerships, programs, and resources our state ha...s in place for veterans. State portal: https://military.ded.mo.gov We’re proud of the great work of our agencies to support those who have served our country, and we will continue working to make Missouri the most military and veteran friendly state in the nation!

The War Medallion Program through the Missouri Veterans Recognition Program has recently expanded. Learn more about the program at https://go.usa.gov/xHswg

In memory of September 11, 2001.

Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries will resume military funeral honors, committal services JEFFERSON CITY The five Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries announced today that military funeral honors as well as committal services will resume at all locations beginning on Tuesday, June 16. These funeral services were suspended due to COVID-19 concerns in March. Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries will continue to follow CDC and National Cemetery Administration precautionary guidel...ines. While committal shelters will be open for scheduled interments, administrative buildings will remain closed to walk-in traffic and will continue to operate via telework and email until further notice. For more information regarding scheduling, format, and precautionary regulations (which may vary by county), please contact the cemetery office in your area as listed below: Bloomfield (573) 568-3871 Fort Leonard Wood (573) 774-3496 Higginsville (660) 584-5252 Jacksonville (660) 295-4237 Springfield (417) 823-3944 For more information contact: Jim Nugent (660) 295-4237

Watch our latest video to learn how Veterans Cemeteries throughout the state are honoring the service and sacrifice of Missouri's fallen heroes.

Memorial Day public ceremonies have been cancelled at all five Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries due to COVID-19 concerns. Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries continue to follow CDC and National Cemetery Administration cautionary guidelines on large gatherings of 10 or more individuals. On Memorial Day, May 25, 2020, Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Directors will render appropriate honors and lower all flags to half-staff to honor all Veterans interred in Missouri State Vete...rans Cemeteries at all five State Veteran Cemeteries. Missouri State Veterans Cemeteries are located at Bloomfield, Higginsville, Jacksonville, Springfield, and Ft. Leonard Wood. To further honor our Veterans and include citizens who will not be able to attend our ceremonies due to the current emergency, the Missouri Veterans Commission will provide a video honoring our Veterans on its social media platforms in lieu of the traditional in-person ceremony. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was established as a day for Americans to honor those who were killed during the Civil War. It was not until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971 and was placed on the last Monday in May. For more information contact Jim Nugent 660-295-4237

A big part of our #ShowMeStrong Recovery Plan was expanding our PPE reserves. Our PPE Marketplace, a partnership between the Missouri Hospital Association, th...e Missouri Department of Economic Development, and Google, connects vendors with health care workers to help supply PPE from within the state -- decreasing our reliance on suppliers from foreign countries Using the Battelle Critical Care Decontamination System we have the maximum capacity to decontaminate up to 80,000 N95 masks per day. Any health care or first responder organization interested in using the Battelle CCDS to decontaminate N95 masks should enroll at www.battelle.org/N95. As we work towards economic recovery in the state, you can find the most up-to-date information and guidance on http://showmestrong.mo.gov.

Veterans Commission commends Executive Director Grace Link as she accepts position with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Ryon Richmond appointed Interim Exec...utive Director of Missouri Veterans Commission JEFFERSON CITY - Chairman Tim Noonan announces effective May 31, 2020, Col. Grace Link is stepping down as the Executive Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission. Link will continue to serve Missouri veterans, but will now do so as a part of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Veterans commissioners accepted Link’s resignation during an executive session meeting on Tuesday night, April 21, and appointed MVC Deputy Director Ryon Richmond as the Interim Executive Director effective June 1, 2020. "As Executive Director, Col. Link has tirelessly devoted herself to ensuring that Missouri's heroes received the care they deserve. Caring for our veterans starts with respect and dignity, especially for those on the frontlines working in our Veterans Homes, serving as Veteran Service Officers, or providing funeral services in our Veterans Cemeteries," Chairman Noonan said. "Grace was a decisive leader in challenging times, such as deciding in early March that restricting access to our Veterans Homes was the right thing to do to protect our Missouri heroes. Newly developed metrics on care and satisfaction point to significant improvement in the lives of the more than 1,100 Missouri veterans in our homes. Grace made a distinct, positive difference." Noonan credited Link, the commission’s first woman executive director, with establishing new levels of transparency and open communications among all stakeholders, including commissioners, veterans and their families, Veterans Service Organizations, volunteers and all 1,650 MVC team members. He said Link connected with peers nationally and brought new ideas and metrics to Missouri. He also said she changed the culture at the state's Veterans Homes and throughout the entire organization. "Our goal is to be the best state in the country for veterans, and Grace took us a long way toward achieving that goal. Her handling of the COVID-19 crisis has been particularly impressive. Our Veterans Homes have been a model for keeping the virus out," Noonan said. "The Veterans Commission has been my toughest and most rewarding assignment, said Link, who is a colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves. I have seen our wonderful MVC staff provide the most compassionate care to the elderly at a time in their lives when they need it the most. They are truly heroes serving heroes! I will sincerely miss my MVC teammates, but know that I am leaving them in very capable hands." Led by the appointed commissioners, the Missouri Veterans Commission has begun the process of selecting a new executive director. Deputy Director Ryon Richmond will serve as the MVC Interim Executive Director while a search is conducted for a permanent replacement. Richmond is a graduate of Southwest Missouri State University and the Army War College. Richmond has over 30 years of service with the U.S. Army and Missouri Army National Guard, retiring as a colonel in 2017. Richmond held many leadership posts during his career and concluded his career as the Joint Force HQ Deputy U.S Property and Fiscal Officer at National Guard headquarters in Jefferson City. Before joining MVC in 2019, he was the Training and Exercise Program Manager at the State Emergency Management Agency. The Missouri Veterans Commission serves 485,000 Missouri veterans through the selfless service of 1,650 employees in seven State Veterans Homes, five State Veterans Cemeteries, and its Veterans Services Program. END

MVC Cemetery Offices Temporarily Closed to (In-Office) Visits The Missouri Veterans Cemeteries, following CDC recommendations, will: limit attendance to no more than 10 people at committal services, the cemetery administration office will not conduct in-house visits, ... staff will provide scheduling and administrative services by telephone, mail, and email only until further notice. This action is in light of concerns regarding COVID-19, The National Cemetery Administration is strongly urging that all committal services adhere to the CDC guidelines.

As announced on the evening of Saturday, March 7, 2020 by Governor Mike Parson, there is a presumptive positive case of COVID-19 in St. Louis County. There w...as also a presumptive positive case announced in Johnson County, Kansas on this date as well. Therefore, in efforts to protect our veterans, families and staff to the best of our ability, the Missouri Veterans Commission will restrict access to visitors, vendors, and volunteers until further notice at our seven veteran homes. This is being done to ensure we attempt all efforts to prevent the virus from entering our home. We will encourage communication with your loved one daily. Our staff will also assist those who want to see their loved ones using FaceTime or with other video methods. We also encourage families to communicate with the home’s staff to address any concerns promptly. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the local home administrator (specific contact information is provided on each home's social media page) and/or Homes Program Assistant Director Brad Haggard, 573-301-6533 and/or Homes Program Director Roystan Pais 573-508-3538. The situation will be monitored daily and any changes will be communicated promptly to all concerned parties. We apologize for any inconvenience as we look to ensure the utmost protection of your loved ones. Thank you in advance for your patience and understanding.

Thank you to Itus Virtus and Wreaths Across America for the Wreaths placed at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, MO.

Missouri State Veterans Cemetery Springfield, MO REMEMBER the Fallen. . . HONOR those who Serve. . . TEACH our children the value of Freedom. Welcome to the Missouri Veterans Cemetery's Wreaths Across America. ... On Saturday, December 14, 2019 at 11:00 AM, Wreaths Across America will be at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans through the laying of Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country's fallen heroes and the act of saying the name of each and every veteran aloud. Please help our location lay wreaths at as many graves as possible by clicking the red "Sponsor" button. Or, if you would like to volunteer to participate in the wreath laying ceremony, please click the Volunteer button next to the cemetery name below, and don't forget to click the "Invite" button to invite your friends and family to join you. Thank you so much for supporting Missouri Veterans Cemetery and Wreaths Across America!

Please congratulate Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery Director Jim Nugent who has been appointed as the new Director of the State of Missouri Veterans Cemetery Pro...gram. The Veterans Cemetery Program consists of 5 active Missouri Veterans Cemeteries at the following locations: Bloomfield, Fort Leonard Wood, Higginsville, Jacksonville and Springfield. Jim replaces outgoing Program Director Charles Baxter who retired in May. Jim has served as the Jacksonville Veterans Cemetery Director since 2015. As part of his appointment, Jim will continue to manage the day to day operations of Jacksonville in addition to his newly assigned duties. Jim is a 1987 graduate of Glendale High School in Springfield, Missouri. Jim served six years in U.S. Marine Corps. After being honorably discharged, Jim returned to Missouri to attend Northeast Missouri State University (now Truman State University) in Kirksville where he received a BA Degree in History/International Studies in 1996. During and after college, Jim served five years in the Army National Guard. After college, Jim pursued a career in building materials sales and management where he earned several professional awards for customer service and sales excellence. During his time with the Missouri Veterans Commission, Jim has held the positions of Veterans Service officer and Veterans Cemetery Director. In his 7 years with the Veterans Commission, Jim has received four awards for his outstanding service to Veterans. Jim currently serves on the State of Missouri Veterans Innovation Task Force with the primary focus of seeking solutions and recommendations for improving services to our Veterans. Jim serves in several volunteer capacities: Commander American Legion Post 20 Kirksville, Member Marine Corps League Detachment 828, Mizzou Marines, Columbia, Boy Scout Troop Committee Chairman - LDS Church Kirksville, and Advancement Committee Chairman - Black Diamond District of the Boy Scouts of America. Jim resides in Kirksville and is married to Rebecca Nugent and has six children: Mady, Aimee, Zack, Caleb, Nathan and Caroline who are active in church youth programs, leadership activities, Scouting and sports. Most notably, a daughter in college, and two sons who have achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Jim’s oldest son Zack will be entering the US Marine Corps on June 24th to train as an Infantryman.

Memorial Day Celebration at Springfield State Veterans Cemetery SPRINGFIELD There will be a Memorial Day Celebration at the Missouri Veterans Cemetery - Springfield, 5201 South Southwood, in Springfield, Missouri on Monday, May 27, 2019 at 1:30 P.M. The ceremony will end at approximately 2:15 P.M. and guests are invited to tour the cemetery. The Guest speaker will be Col. John Hathcock, Chairman of the Veterans and Military Coalition of the Ozarks. The 399th Army Band from ...Ft. Leonard Wood will be at the ceremony. Primary parking will be available at The Springs Church at 5500 S. Southwood with handicap parking available in the cemetery. Bus service will be provided from the church to the cemetery. There will be some seating available, but it is recommended that guests bring a lawn chair. Originally called Decoration Day, Memorial Day was established as a day for Americans to honor those who were killed during the Civil War. It was not until after World War I that Memorial Day was expanded to honor those who have died in all American wars. Memorial Day was declared a national holiday in 1971 and was placed on the last Monday in May. The Missouri Veterans Commission operates seven State Veterans Homes, six State Veterans Cemeteries, and the Veterans Services Program. The Commission is committed to honoring and serving Missouri’s Veterans whose dedication and sacrifices have preserved our nation and its freedoms. For more information about the Missouri Veterans Commission programs, call 573-751-3779 or access the Missouri Veterans Commission webpage at www.mvc.dps.mo.gov.

Thank you Gayle

New Columbarium 3 Dedication Ceremony The Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Springfield, MO will dedicate its third Columbarium Court for our Veterans and their families. The Dedication will start at 10:00 am on Friday March 29, 2019. A new columbarium has opened at Missouri State Veterans Cemetery. Columbarium Court 3, as it is called, has 2,560 niches for U.S. military veterans and their spouses. Base Construction of Springfield, Mo, was awarded the 2.5 million dollar c...ontract. The project was begun in January 2018 and involved significant grading, landscaping, environmental management and installation of decorative and commemorative stonework, including walkways and new irrigation. The Columbarium Court 3 will help extend Missouri State Veterans Cemetery as a final resting place for our country’s Veterans. Without the Columbarium Court 3 expansion, Missouri State Veterans Cemetery would have run out of niche space in the spring of 2019. By adding the additional 2,560 niche spaces, Columbarium Court No. 3 is extending the life of the cemetery for years to come. The dedication of Columbarium Court No. 3 will start at 10:00 am with guest speaker Lt. Col. Patrick Moore, Missouri State Chaplain, Missouri Army National Guard. "I've worked on many projects over the years, but all you have to do is stand here and take this place in," said Hugh Myers, the Cemetery Director for Missouri Veterans Cemetery. I can't think of a better way to dedicate this hallowed ground than by honoring our heroes with a final resting place befitting their service and sacrifice. Missouri State Veterans Cemetery honors the legacy of fallen service members, veterans and their families through military burial services.