![](https://www.indianz.com/News/2015/08/18/seminolenationveterans.jpg)
A view of the Seminole Nation veterans cemetery in Seminole, Oklahoma. Photo from Spirit of 45
Two Oklahoma tribes can keep their veterans close to home thanks to grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs. The Seminole Nation used a $1.3 million, plus its own funds, to build the Seminole Nation Cemetery and Veterans Memorial next to an existing cemetery in Seminole, The Oklahoman reported. The facility was completed last November. Edmond Harjo, who was the last living Seminole Code Talker until his passing in March 2014, was the first veteran to be buried there. He received the Congressional Gold Medal in 2013 for his service during World War II. The Ponca Tribe received a $495,000 grant to add a veterans memorial and burial area to its existing cemetery in Ponca City. The project will be finished soon, The Oklahoman reported. Get the Story:
Two Oklahoma tribes benefit from nationwide boom in veterans cemeteries (The Oklahoman 8/18) Related Stories:
Crow Tribe to use $1.2M grant to establish veterans cemetery (04/30)
Pueblo man chosen as chair of VA minority advisory committee (09/30)
Mark Rogers: Money alone won't fix problems at Veterans Affairs (08/05)
Mark Rogers: System exploits misery of our nation's veterans (07/24)
Steve Russell: Blame for VA and IHS shortfalls rests on Congress (05/23)
Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux veterans reach out to peers (11/11)
Native Sun News: Dedication set for Oglala veterans cemetery (09/13)
Native veterans seek support for memorial on National Mall (05/28)
Native Sun News: Oglala Sioux Tribe starts veterans cemetery (10/16)
Oglala Sioux Tribe receives $6.5M to build veterans cemetery (09/25)
Join the Conversation