Video: Construction on North Miss. Veterans Memorial Cemetery Continues

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KILMICHAEL, Miss. (WCBI) — More than six months ago ground was broken on the North Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Kilmichael.

The first phase of construction is underway.

“This is where all of our casketed burials will go,” said Mark Lawson, cemetery director for the North Mississippi Veterans Memorial Cemetery.

For Lawson, providing veterans with a place to rest in peace is extremely important.

“After serving 20 years active duty in the Navy and then being able to continue my endeavors working with veterans and their families during probably the most serious times in their lie is a huge honor for me,” said Lawson.

Which is why completing this project would be so meaningful to him.

“All of our veterans that were honorably discharged, have earned this right and it’s important that we continue to show our respect,” said Lawson.

The city first broke ground on the project in September, and even though there has been progress.

“We’re only 25 percent completed on the project,” said Lawson.

There’s still a lot more work to be done.

“Right now their completing the administration building , the roof, and the maintenance building as well,” said Lawson.

But construction workers seem to have one recurring problem they continue to run into, bad weather.

“You know during this time of year there are delays, just like today,” said Kilmichael mayor Bobby Howell.

However, they remain on schedule.

Howell said there’s also another project that’s being worked on as well.

“There’s a Bell Tower that plays taps music that maybe the family might request and that is not allowed in the state and federal dollars,” said Howell.

So to help raise the funds for the 120 thousand dollar project, Howell said the city has been having different fundraisers and asking for donations.

“We’re over half way in that project right now so we just want to be sure that if anybody is interested in making a donation to that,” said Howell.

Howell said he’s expecting the Bell Tower and the cemetery should be complete next year.