Omaha National Cemetery Project

Omaha National Cemetery: ‘National shrine’ inches closer to completion

By Steve Liewer / World-Herald staff writer

Photo credit: Matt Dixon/THE WORLD-HERALD

Backhoes gouge holes in the soil near 144th Street and Schram Road as earthmovers crawl over dirt roads that pass by the skeletons of future buildings. Red flags mark sections of bare earth where one day America’s military veterans will lie.

Two months before its first burial, the new Omaha National Cemetery looks more like a construction site than hallowed ground.

But looks can be deceiving.

“We’re this close,” said Cindy Van Bibber, the cemetery director, holding her thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “A lot can change between now and the end of August.”

By then, a paved boulevard will guide visitors into the cemetery, which is set amid rolling farmland in western Sarpy County. Nineteen American flags will fly from poles in the grassy median. Over time, rows of white marble headstones, perfectly aligned, will fill the hills and valleys.

“There’s a different feeling when you enter a national cemetery. It’s almost a feeling of awe,” Van Bibber said. “We maintain it as a national shrine.”

A national cemetery in eastern Nebraska has long been a dream of Omaha-area veterans, since the nearest one is 180 miles to the south in Leavenworth, Kansas. In 2009, then-Sens. Ben Nelson and Mike Johanns sponsored legislation to authorize and direct the placement of the cemetery. Former Rep. Lee Terry helped secure $36 million in funding for its construction in 2013.

Now the dream is finally coming true. The VA will take over the first 37 acres of the cemetery on Aug. 17. It will include three burial sections with space for both casketed and cremated remains, as well as temporary buildings for committal services, honor guards, maintenance workers and administrative offices.

By 2018, the larger initial phase will be complete, including more than 5,000 gravesites, permanent buildings, a flagpole assembly area, a memorial walkway and public information center with an electronic gravesite locator.

Van Bibber will take part in a VA press conference today in Lincoln, and will also give a public briefing to veterans at 9 a.m. Friday, during an open house at the Lincoln VA clinic.

She has scheduled a dedication ceremony Aug. 5 — 2 miles away at the SumTer Amphitheater in Papillion, so that construction workers can continue without interruption. VA Secretary Robert McDonald is expected to attend, Van Bibber said, as are numerous state and local political leaders. The ceremony will be open to the public.

Since June 6, the cemetery has been allowing the families of deceased veterans to submit paperwork establishing a case for burial of their loved ones. (Living veterans aren’t allowed to “reserve” a space.) It can be done by calling 1-800-535-1117.