Graham Jaehnig/Daily Mining Gazette Members of the Alfred Erickson American Legion Post honor deceased veterans in a local cemetery on Memorial Day. Two Michigan House bills would bring state veteran’s cemetery to the Upper Peninsula

LANSING — A partisan, two-bill packaged was introduced in Lansing last week that, if passed, would establish and fund a state veterans cemetery in the Upper Peninsula, allowing U.P. veterans to interred closer to home. Currently, there are no state veterans cemeteries in Michigan.

State Reps. Dave Prestin, Greg Markkanen, and Karl Bohnak introduced Michigan House Bills 5843-5844, which provide funding to identify, construct, and operate the proposed cemetery. The bills were formally introduced April 23.

HB 5843 is a supplemental appropriations bill which would provide funding to establish a state veterans cemetery in the U.P. The plan includes $5.7 million in state funding to support construction and operation of the proposed cemetery, along with a feasibility study to determine the best location within the U.P.

HB 5844 would provide for the cemetery and provide for a comprehensive location analysis and feasibility study to determine the best location for the veterans cemetery. If passed, the bill would also authorize the acquisition or purchase of land or an interest in land, and to allow the designation of state-owned land as a veterans cemetery for the creation of such a cemetery.

The Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency would be tasked with this study, which would assess various factors such as demographics, traffic patterns, and site economics to maximize eligibility for federal funding.

Additionally, the bill would create the Upper Peninsula Veterans Cemetery Fund, which would be managed by the state treasurer and used for various purposes related to the cemetery’s establishment and operation, including architectural design, environmental studies, and ongoing operational expenses, the bill states.

Markkanen said the plan puts significant state resources behind honoring the service of U.P. veterans. “There is still work to do,” he said, “but this legislation creates a clear path forward to get this project moving and ensure U.P. veterans and their families receive the recognition and support they deserve.”

Prestin, R-Cedar River, said surviving family members have had to travel long distances to honor their loved ones.

“Veterans from the U.P. should be able to be laid to rest in the place they proudly called home,” he said. “This plan would bring that opportunity closer to home, allowing families to maintain a stronger connection with those who sacrificed to defend our freedoms.”