About Us

GLNCAC Mission

To serve the veterans and their eligible family members in supporting a National Shrine at Great Lakes National Cemetery.

Background and History

The property was purchased on November 21, 2002. A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 14th, 2004. The first phase of construction began later in October of that year. The 544.3-acre site will be developed in phases over the next several decades. The cemetery will be able to accommodate over a hundred thousand veterans and their family members.

 

The cemetery began burial operations on October 17, 2005, and currently averages ten burials per day.

 

On November 11th, 2005, the Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council hosted the first annual Veteran’s Day Ceremony. The Avenue of Flags was established in 2005 and today consists of 100 flags and poles that were donated by the Veterans Service Organizations and community groups.  On May 28, 2006, the first annual Memorial Day Ceremony was held. A formal cemetery dedication was held on June 3rd, 2007.

 

Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council is engaged to assure that the men and women who served honorably in the United States military are appropriately recognized and remembered by sponsoring suitable memorials and promoting community awareness through education and ceremonial programs that are not supported by congressional appropriation.

Purpose and Goals
  1. To receive contributions that will be used to promote and maintain monuments, the Avenue of Flags, and other memorial programs at the cemetery.
  2. To act as a liaison between Veteran Service Organizations and other community organizations in all matters pertaining to veterans’ memorials and burials.
  3. To sponsor and promote educational opportunities for schools and community groups to provide a better understanding of the sacrifices made by our veterans.
  4. To support the Great Lakes National Cemetery Honor Guard.

The Great Lakes National Cemetery Advisory Council, Inc. is a non-profit tax exempt public charity under section 501 C (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and is not an agency of the Federal Government. Federal Tax ID #75-3196773