Palm Beach County's National Cemetery Dedication

In May, 1999, my daughter, Robin as Executive Director of the Florida Department of Veterans' Affairs, went before Congress to request funds for a National Cemetery here in Palm Beach. It took nine years for her dream to become a reality. I proudly include here her address, which I have shortened to accomodate this blog.

3000 Expected at Dedication of Palm Beach's National Cemetery on Sunday, March 9 2pm at Rte.441 and Lantana Rd.

This will be a "show case" event (Palm Beach Post)

TESTIMONY OF
ROBIN L. HIGGINS
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
BEFORE THE COMMITTEE ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON OVERSIGHT AND INVESTIGATIONS
MAY 20, 1999

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee, Distinguished Guests:

Thank you for allowing me to appear before this Committee as you address these important issues. I represent a state with over 1.7 million veterans, the second largest veterans’ population in the country. Florida also has the oldest veterans’ population and one of the largest remaining populations of World War II veterans. Interment in a final resting place that reflects the honor with which they served their country is a matter of considerable priority to them and to me.
Our vision of a model National Cemetery is, of course, Arlington National Cemetery. It is peaceful, hallowed ground in the midst of urban congestion. We can travel only a few minutes from this very room, leave all the noise and disruptions of the Beltway behind us, and find ourselves in a place of honor for our fellow patriots and heroes, a place that is suitable for quiet reflection.
Certainly, Florida doesn’t face some of the maintenance challenges that the northern states face with respect to weather. However, the Florida National Cemetery has set an example in sound management of its resources and in partnering with state and local government entities to enhance appearance while reducing costs. For example, the Florida National Cemetery recently entered into a partnership with the State of Florida and the Southwest Florida Water Management District to establish a 2-million gallon retention pond to use reclaimed water from the state for irrigation. The project results in saving millions of gallons of water from the Florida aquifer and helps to keep the lawns at the Cemetery looking beautiful.
In my estimation, perhaps the most important maintenance issue facing us in Florida relates to the VA’s plan for our increased future needs. It is obvious that as more and more veterans are buried each year, it will take additional funds to maintain the higher numbers of grave sites properly. The Florida National Cemetery has seen incredible increases in burial activity since it opened in 1988. That year, it took in 288 casketed burials and 169 cremation burials. In contrast, last year they had 2,855 casketed burials and 2,278 cremation burials – an increase of over 1,000 percent in just 10 years! It is currently the third most active National Cemetery in the entire system. And increases of nine percent annually are projected between now and 2008. I am concerned that the VA’s long-term plan for maintenance may not adequately address our future needs.
As a responsible American, I am aware of the need to spend our tax dollars wisely. However, I can assure you that our veterans’ Cemeteries are not the place to settle for a minimal level of care. The value to Americans everywhere and to the families of our fallen soldiers in particular, makes the investment in our National Cemeteries worthwhile. Honoring veterans whose service has guaranteed our way of life sets a critically needed example for our children as well.
Mr. Chairman, I urge this Committee to endorse adequate funding for the upkeep of our National Cemeteries -- now and in the outyears -- and to insist that those funds are managed properly and efficiently, thereby ensuring that our National Cemeteries remain a source of pride and dignity for all Americans.
Since we have broached the subject of future National Cemeteries and maintenance costs, please permit me to address a particular need of the veterans of my home state of Florida.
As I mentioned earlier, Florida has the oldest veterans’ population of any state. Yet we have only one other National Cemetery besides Florida National Cemetery accepting casketed remains. Bay Pines National Cemetery in St. Petersburg only accepts cremated remains for initial interment. And St. Augustine National Cemetery is only 1.4 acres in size, and while a very nice historical site, it is essentially closed. None of these cemeteries is closer than 250 miles to the largest segment of our oldest, densest, and fastest growing population of veterans -- south Florida. In fact, in studies conducted by the VA in 1987 and again in 1994, south Florida was listed both times as a priority for a National Cemetery in terms of need. But, one has yet to be built.
Mr. Chairman, we must bury these veterans with the honor they deserve, close enough to their homes and their families so that they will not be forgotten. I am told that, sadly, a number of deceased veterans’ remains make the 5-hour trip from south Florida to the Florida National Cemetery each month; all too often, unaccompanied by any family at all because of the long distance.
South Florida is long overdue for a National Cemetery, and it is fundamentally wrong for us to delay its construction until the time when it just doesn’t matter anymore. As Congresswoman Brown so eloquently stated, “The time for evaluating the needs of southern Florida is long past and the time for action is rapidly slipping away.” I pledge to work with any member of this committee and each member of the Florida delegation to see that we bring a new National Veterans’ Cemetery in south Florida into reality. On behalf of the 1.7 million veterans in Florida, many of whom have grown up and lived in other states all over the Nation before coming to Florida to live out their remaining years, I humbly ask for your help.
Winston Churchill is attributed with once saying that a nation that does not honor its heroes will soon have no heroes to honor. Mr. Chairman, it is absolutely essential to the character and the core values of this country that we continue to honor our heroes. Every man and woman who place themselves in harm’s way for this country deserves the recognition that accrues from this sacrifice. They are the heroes among us. They deserve the honor and recognition of a decent burial in a hallowed place. They deserve a vibrant National Cemetery System.
Mr. Chairman, I request your indulgence for a moment of personal reflection. My husband, Colonel Rich Higgins, who died at the hands of terrorists while serving his country, is buried at Quantico National Cemetery, just down I-95. I visit him every chance I get. Words cannot express how important it is to me that he is at rest on American soil in a place of dignity and peace. The value of seeing his grave site, and others around him, kept to such a high standard cannot be measured in mere dollars. I would be heartbroken and feel that Rich’s sacrifice for his country was diminished if I went there and found anything less.
I urge this panel to do whatever it takes to ensure that every American hero, past, present and future is secure in the promise that they will be laid to rest in the arms of a grateful Nation.
Mr. Chairman, this concludes my testimony. Again, please permit me to extend my appreciation for your attention. I would be glad to entertain your questions.

ROBIN LEE HIGGINS, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FLORIDA DEP'T OF VETERANS' AFFAIRS


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