Schumer Launches PUSH for $5 Million Federal Funding Package to Improve Infrastructure, Expand Capacity, and Enhance Safety at NEW York’s First State Veterans Cemetery in Seneca County

After Previously Helping Deliver $3.9 Million To Establish The Cemetery In 2023, Schumer’s Push Now Includes $3 Million For Critical Gateway, Entrance, Safety & Accessibility Upgrades At New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes In Upcoming Budget Bill Schumer Also Announces Push for $2 Million Pending VA Grants To Add 300 New Burial Plots, Fencing & Lighting, Stormwater Infrastructure, And To Maintain & Care For Veteran Headstones Schumer: Honor Our Heroes With The Resting Place They Deserve Standing with local Veterans at the New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes in Romulus, New York, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today launched his push to secure nearly $5 million in federal funding to expand, modernize, and improve New York’s first state veterans cemetery. Schumer explained the funding would upgrade the cemetery’s gateway and entrance, expand cemetery capacity, and preserve the dignity of the cemetery’s sacred grounds. “New York State Veterans Cemetery in the Finger Lakes, located at the former Sampson military base, is hallowed ground, rooted in the history of hundreds of thousands of World War II and Korean War-era service members who trained here before going on to defend our nation. As we celebrate our country’s 250 th anniversary this year, we must honor the service and sacrifices of Americans who have served in the armed forces,” said Senator Schumer. “That is why I am here today to launch my push for nearly $5 million in federal support to make critical upgrades to this historic veterans cemetery. I was proud to help deliver the pivotal funding needed to establish this cemetery as New York’s first-ever state veterans cemetery, but that was only the first step. Now, the cemetery is in need of greater burial capacity and resources to care for the headstones of these heroes, as well as safety, accessibility, and infrastructure upgrades. I’m proud to launch my push for over $5 million to ensure that our nation’s veterans have the dignified resting place they have earned after fighting to protect our freedom.” Located in Seneca County, New York – the birthplace of Memorial Day – New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes is a nationally-recognized memorial that honors hundreds of thousands of veterans, including 33 Purple Heart recipients connected to the historic Sampson military installations, who trained and served our nation. Originally built in 1942 as a U.S. Naval Training Station, the site housed the Sampson College for returning GI Bill veterans from 1946 to 1949, and then later served as the Sampson Air Force Basic Military Training Center before being largely decommissioned in 1956. The site is now home to the New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes, and is the resting place for Armed Forces veterans, their spouses, and their children. There are additionally 33 interred Purple Heart recipients and veterans connected to the historic Sampson Military Installations. Chairman of the Friends of the New York State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes, Michael F. Nozzolio, NY State Senator, ret. said, “ The Friends of the New York State Veterans Cemetery—Finger Lakes are extremely grateful and pleased our United States Senator Chuck Schumer will support and advocate for funds to enhance the permanent resting place that honors all our Nation’s veterans. Senator Schumer’s advocacy in the United States Senate is critically important for the approval of the New York State Department of Veterans’ Services grant request that will make the first New York State Veterans Cemetery safer, more secure, and create easier access for senior citizens and the disabled, providing many more the opportunity to honor the veterans of our United States Armed Forces.” The current entrance is functionally obsolete and no longer provides safe, secure, or accessible access for visitors. Schumer today announced his push for $3 million in federal funding in the Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill to create a safer and more accessible gateway. The new proposed entrance will have improved lighting and signage to boost public safety and protect a significant asset for New York State through secure, well-defined infrastructure. Schumer explained that most of the cemetery’s visitors, including surviving spouses and siblings, are predominantly older adults who often have mobility limitations. The senator explained that the proposed upgrades are necessary to safely serve this population and give our veterans the resting place they deserve. In addition to the $3 million, Schumer also today announced he is pushing the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration to approve New York State’s applications for two Veterans Cemetery grants, which together would provide over $2 million in additional federal support for cemetery expansion, infrastructure improvements, and headstone maintenance. The Cemetery is now eligible to apply for and receive these VA grants thanks to efforts by Schumer and state and local leaders in 2023, when Schumer helped deliver $3.9 million in federal funding needed to finally establish the New York State Veterans Cemetery – Finger Lakes as New York State’s first-ever veterans cemetery. The cemetery is thus eligible to pursue future federal VA grants as one of the 120 VA-designated state and tribal veteran cemeteries that may be financially supported through the Federal VA Veterans Cemetery Grants Program. The proposed grants will support the construction of 300 additional burial crypts, expanding the Cemetery’s long-term capacity and allowing more veterans and eligible family members to be laid to rest in a place dedicated to honoring their service. This expanded capacity will also provide more Gold Star Families and loved ones with a permanent place to gather, reflect, and pay tribute. Additionally, the project will upgrade stormwater infrastructure, construct new fencing and update signage to improve navigation, and enhance the experience of families visiting to honor loved ones. Funding will also be used to preserve the cemetery’s appearance and integrity by raising, realigning, cleaning, and rehabilitating headstones. Maintaining these sacred grounds is essential to ensuring every veteran is remembered in a setting that reflects the dignity of their service. Together, these grants will expand the Cemetery’s capacity while ensuring it remains a lasting tribute to those who served our nation. In addition to the NYS Veteran Cemetery at the former Sampson military base, Schumer also secured a total of $46 million from 2016-2019 to construct and establish the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Western New York Veterans Cemetery in Genesee County, New York in 2020, bringing a much-needed veterans cemetery to Western New York to serve the 80,000 WNY veterans who then lacked a veterans cemetery within 100 miles of their home. ###