Cemetery plans columbarium expansion

    CARIBOU, Maine – The Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, located on the Lombard Road in Caribou, is moving forward with plans to construct additional columbarium walls, despite lack of funding following word that earmarked funds would not be available this year.
    Initially, Plan A involved applying for grant money to cover the majority of the $800,000 needed to increase the number of walls providing niches for burial urns containing the remains of local veterans. The facility currently has space for 75, with those spots filling up fast.
“We’d applied for the grant last year but were told by Sen. Olympia Snowe’s and Congressman Mike Michaud’s offices that the money wouldn’t be available this year,” said Harry Hafford, a member of the cemetery’s board of directors.
Part of the process to qualify for the grant required cemetery officials raising a percentage of the funds – in this case, $80,000 or 10 percent of the total figure. Although the grant was turned down this year, Hafford said fund-raising efforts continue, with plans to use money already raised to go forward with construction of at least one wall section.
“So far we’ve raised around $69,500 of the $80,000. That includes donations from local groups and organizations, including around $250 from Job Corps in Limestone and over $1,200 from the Presque Isle Rotary Club, with $25,000 coming from the PI Rotary’s Special Project funds,” said Hafford. “The Ashland Rotary kicked in $1,775.”
While $69,500 may sound like a lot of money, Hafford said there’s still a lot of fund-raising to do to come up with sufficient funds to complete the project as originally planned. That’s why a second grant application has been submitted this year, with the hope of getting the necessary approval the next time around. Until then, plans are to reduce the number of walls constructed for now, with more to be built as money becomes available.
“Plan B is that we will use up all the money we’ve raised to expand the columbarium wall. Under Plan B, we’ll break ground this fall. We’re not sure how much (money) we’ll have, but we hope to have three units done, whether we get the funding or not,” said Hafford.
Hafford said donations would greatly help achieve this goal. Without the expansion, veterans will be left with the more costly route of burial, with services limited to warm weather ceremonies.
“Columbarium walls allow families to hold services and have closure at the same time. Other burial services create twice the work and stress, with a winter ceremony, followed by the postponed spring interment. In some cases, families travel many miles to attend funerals, only to have to return at a later date for another service. With the walls, only one service is needed,” said Hafford. “If we don’t expand the wall by next year, we’ll be out of space for above-ground cremations. That will stop us from doing any winter interments, prolonging the grief process.”
Hafford said he’s “always optimistic” and has high hopes “we’ll get some federal help.”
Until that happens, the board will continue efforts to raise the funds necessary for the expansion.
“To do the job ourselves, we’ll have to raise extra money,” said Hafford.
The cemetery has been a big source of comfort to the families of local veterans. Now loved ones don’t have to travel downstate to remember those they’ve lost.
“The cemetery has made it easier for local families, keeping loved ones closer,” said Hafford.
Hafford is confident funds will become available through the grant process.
“I still  have every confidence that our congressional staff will do everything possible to get those grants. Until that happens, we’ll continue efforts to raise the money we need,” said Hafford.
Anyone interested in making a donation can do so by making checks payable to Northern Maine Veterans Cemetery and mailing them to: NMVC Corporation, PO Box 312, Caribou, ME 04736. For more information on the cemetery or fund-raising efforts, contact Hafford at 435-6024.
With Memorial Day upon us, Hafford said plans are in full swing for this weekend’s service at the cemetery honoring those who’ve served our nation.
“A Memorial Day service is planned for May 28 at the cemetery, beginning at 1 p.m. Service people as well as the general public are invited to attend,” said Hafford.