The Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery (SWVMC) near Union Grove provides a final resting place for veterans and creates a lasting memorial to their achievement and sacrifices. Situated on state-owned farmland at the Southern Wisconsin Center, the 105-acre cemetery site encompasses gently rolling hills with serene, natural beauty. As a lasting tribute to those who served in the armed forces, the cemetery will remind future generations that veterans were instrumental in preserving our nation's freedom. Ground breaking occurred on Memorial Day May 24, 1996. The cemetery and the administrative building were officially dedicated on May 31, 1998. The first phase of construction included burial for casket and cremation urns. Additional development will occur to accommodate needs of veterans and their families. The cemetery administrative building, includes a committal chapel for interment services. An outdoor committal shelter is used for services when weather permits. The cemetery also hosts veterans’ events and commemorations in its ceremonial area and flag plaza. The cemetery inters caskets and cremation urns year-round. Cremated remains may be interred either in ground or in an above ground columbarium. The government provided marker will include the veteran’s name, rank, branch of service, war period, birth date, death date and spousal information. Families also have the option of adding an additional inscription/term of endearment to their loved ones’ marker. The cemetery is conveniently located and easily accessible from metropolitan Milwaukee, Racine and Kenosha.