Chattanooga National Cemetery Explores Expansion Plans

As we continue to fight a war on two fronts the need to bury veterans who have died continues to be on people's minds.The Director for the Chattanooga National Cemetery says they are running out of room.

It's what many including Congressman Zach Wamp say is the least the country can do for those who served or who made the ultimate sacrifice, be buried and honored at a national cemetery.

"Abraham Lincoln gave us our charge. He said it is our responsibility to care for him who is born to battle and his widow and his orphan. You know that 19th century promise is our 21st century commitment and we're going to keep that commitment," said William Tuerk, Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.

Wamp and Mayor Ron Littlefield showed US Memorial Affairs Secretary around the cemetery. It is something he says needs to be preserved and there is no way it should ever be closed.

"This cemetery has a remarkable long  history we don't ever want to see the cemetery closed. We're planning for beyond 2040 2050 time frame. So that we can enforce this community that we will have here and we will be honoring veterans for the indefinite future," said Tuerk.

 The director says there are 45,000 people buried here at the Chattanooga National Cemetery but there are only 6,000 spots left. The need to expand is not a dire one but if it isn't expanded the cemetery would have to close by 2046.

" We need to expand our borders. Whether it is the year 2046 or 2020 we need to take the steps to start expanding out so we can provide this as Mr. Tuerk said until the end of time," said Paul Martin, the Director at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

"But good plan says that you don't wait until you have to go and get this lands. So you begin the process," said Congressman Zach Wamp.

The focus of the tour was to look at area land that could possibly be bought when the cemetery needs to expand. The team conducted a feasibility study and says expansion is not far off but is still a few years away.