CHELTANHAM, MD — U.S. Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) today joined Maryland Veterans Affairs Secretary Edward Chow, Jr., to observe Veterans Day at Maryland’s Cheltenham Veterans Cemetery.  The Senator also announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded the cemetery a grant of $1.7 million to make improvements.   

“Today, we thank the millions of brave men and women who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces and risked their lives for our nation.  We pause to remember all they have sacrificed and give thanks for their courage and service.  And we also take this opportunity to thank their families for all they have sacrificed. We want our veterans and their families to know we are grateful for their service to our nation and are here today to honor them,” said Senator Cardin. 

“It is important that Americans recognize the service and sacrifice of those who have worn the uniform of this nation,” said Maryland Veterans Affairs Secretary Chow.  “Born of their extraordinary accomplishments comes our extraordinary debt of gratitude to our veterans.  And part of that debt is owed to the military families who have also sacrificed so much for our country.”

Cheltenham State Veterans Cemetery consists of 102 acres and currently conducts more than 825 burials each year. It  is the final resting place for more than 17,000 Maryland veterans and their dependents. The cemetery opened for burials in July 1978 and is expected to provide a total of 50,000 burial sites.