Jennings veteran cemetery receives award for excellence

A Jennings veteran cemetery received a national award for excellence after being open for only 4 years.

JENNINGS, La. (KLFY) – A Jennings veteran cemetery received a national award for excellence after being open for only 4 years.

The staff of the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery received the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration’s Operational Excellence Award Wednesday morning. The award was presented to Dwayne Guidry, the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton Meginley, COL (USAF Ret) and director of SWLVC.

The Operational Excellence Award is given to state veteran cemeteries for excellent compliance during their triennial review, which examines 95 NCA standards including interment operations, grounds and equipment maintenance and headstone alignment. The cemetery opened in March of 2020.

“Our cemetery program is a cornerstone of our department, and our staff take great pride in providing a final resting place of honor to our nation’s heroes who call Louisiana home,” said Secretary Meginley. “I commend Dwayne Guidry and his team for their outstanding accomplishment, and for their commitment to the veterans of southwest Louisiana.”

There are more than 500 veterans and veteran spouses and dependents interred at the SWLVC. The cemetery is situated on 20 acres, which will accommodate interment for 17,000. 

Veterans who are interested in interment may complete an eligibility request form, as well as an interment request form. You can also print and mail the forms.

The Southwest Louisiana Veterans Cemetery is located at 1620 Evangeline Road in Jennings, adjacent to the Southwest Louisiana Veterans Home.

Latest Stories