Lt Governor John Sanchez State Veterans Cemetery Initiative Clovis Town Hall Meeting October 22, 2013

NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ SERVICES “Serving those who served” “We are not just the beneficiaries of their bravery….we are the stewards of their sacrifice…” Sec Tim Hale 2

BIG SIX: RULES FOR SUPPORTING SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, MILITARY FAMILIES, AND FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN 1. Actions and discussions are about THEIR needs, never about what you do 2. Realize that each individual is unique and therefore has unique needs 3. If you think you're doing it better than anyone else or the only one doing it, someone else is doing it and doing it better 4. Never make a commitment you cannot, do not, or will not keep 5. Build for the long run and have a meaningful and personal impact 6. If you start to think it’s about you, that's when it’s time to get out 3

Ft Bliss T or C Tucumcari Ft Stanton Clayton Grant Grants 2010 CENSUS Present Federal VA Cemeteries SANTA FE NATIONAL CEMETERY FT BAYARD NATIONAL CEMETERY Operated/Administered by Ft Bliss National Cemetery FT BLISS NATIONAL CEMETERY 4

RURAL CEMETERIES: A Needed PLAN for NM? ______________________________ Approximately NM Veterans live within 75 miles of existing facilities (Veterans living in Bernalillo, Sandoval, and Santa fe Counties) Approximately 131,000 veterans and eligible family members live outside the 75 mile standard CASE STUDY : When a veteran dies in the CLOVIS area, the average distance to drive to Santa Fe National Cemetery is approximately 215 driving miles, and 3.5 hours driving time. This is from the city center of Clovis. To travel to Ft Bliss or Ft Bayard is almost 400 miles, and approximately 6-7 hours drive. PUBLISHED Veterans Administration desired service area: 75 miles 5

SANTA FE NATIONAL CEMETERY FT BAYARD NATIONAL CEMETERY Operated/Administered by Ft Bliss National Cemetery FT BLISS NATIONAL CEMETERY CLOVIS Est Regional Eligible Population: VA Service Life Plan (Required): 20 Years Ft Bliss T or C Ft Stanton 2010 CENSUS 6 Present Federal and Possible State Cemetery Sites 70 MILES/1:30 215/3.5 Hours 400 miles/6-7 Hours

NATIONAL CEMETERY ADMINISTRATION STATE CEMETERY GRANT PROGRAM THE PROCESS: Must have clear legislative authority from state or Tribal government to establish and operate a State Veterans Cemetery, and that it will maintain the cemetery in accordance with VA standards Must have sufficient land to bury veterans and eligible family members for a 20 to 50 year period Cemetery location must be easily accessible TIMELINES--A 1-3 YEAR Process: Location selection Design and Development Finalized drawings and construction plans VA review and approval of drawings and specification New Mexico Goal: Location selection and initial applications to VA NLT 1 July 2014 Construction: FY 15 and beyond

STATE SITE SELECTION PROCESS 8 Distance from the VA National Cemeteries - Veteran population - Community Support - Suitable/Available land STATE VETERANS CEMETERY APPLICATIONS WILL BE RANK ORDERED BASED ON: - Distance from the VA National Cemeteries - Veteran population - Community Support - Suitable/Available land NOTE: ALL GRANT APPLICATIONS WILL BE CONTINGENT UPON BOTH NM LEGISLATATIVE SUPPORT (INITIAL MATCHING FUNDS-10%) AND FEDERAL GRANT MONIES BEING AVAILABLE IF SELECTED TO MOVE FORWARD IN THE FEDERAL PROCESS.

ROUGH COST: 3 ACRE DEVELOPED SITE W/1 Acre of CRYPTS 100 Columbarium Niches Construction Item Qty. Units Unit Cost Total Cost Burial (3' x 8' Pre-Placed Crypts) (1 Acre) 1,800 EA $ $900,000 Site Work, Demolition, Clearing and Grubbing 3 acres $15, $45,000 Site Furnishings/ Receptacles/ Signage Replacement 1 LS $20, $20,000 Site Improvements (utilities and landscaping) 3 acres $30, $90,000 Roadways (24' wide, w/curb and gutter) 1,000 LF $ $100,000 Irrigation system 3 acres $50, $150,000 TOTAL: $1,305,000. Columbarium Cost: -The cost to build a Columbarium is approximately $325 per niche. (2 Burials per niche) -Estimate approx 100 (200 burial capacity) - TOTAL: $32, GRAND TOTAL $1, 337,

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS 11

Veteran Population of New Mexico 172,595 (including 21,324 Women Veterans) 2012 CENSUS DATA Ten Largest Veteran-Populated Counties 1. Bernalillo54, Do ña Ana14, Sandoval12, Santa Fe11, San Juan 9, Otero 8, Valencia 6, Chaves 5, Curry 4, Eddy 4,326

WRAP UP “We will be measured by our accomplishments, not by our promises….” We will not promise what we cannot support We will not support what is not ethical, legal, and fiscally responsible We will not offer any promises which are not fully staffed and approved at all levels…and we will always “Do the right thing” 14

BIG SIX: RULES FOR SUPPORTING SERVICE MEMBERS, VETERANS, MILITARY FAMILIES, AND FAMILIES OF THE FALLEN 1. Actions and discussions are about THEIR needs, never about what you do 2. Realize that each individual is unique and therefore has unique needs 3. If you think you're doing it better than anyone else or the only one doing it, someone else is doing it and doing it better 4. Never make a commitment you cannot, do not, or will not keep 5. Build for the long run and have a meaningful and personal impact 6. If you start to think it’s about you, that's when it’s time to get out 15