History of the Association
The enactment of State laws in 1997, creating the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery under the Adjutant General’s Department, had a provision for donations to be made for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the cemetery:
“New Hampshire Statutes, Section 110-B:75 Acceptance of Gifts. – The adjutant general may accept, on behalf of the state, conditional and unconditional gifts including grants of money, material, equipment, services, and facilities from any source, public or private, for the operation, maintenance, and improvement of the cemetery, with the concurrence of the governor in accordance with the provisions of RSA 4:8.”
The Adjutant General, then Brigadier General John Blair, convened a group of legislators and representatives from major veteran service organizations called the New Hampshire State Veterans Council. This council met quarterly to discuss cemetery issues, interface with the public and private groups for fundraising activities, elicit support of various veteran organizations, and assist the Adjutant General’s Department with plans for future development of the cemetery.
In May 2000, it was determined that the cemetery had no mechanism in place to accept donations. In addition, donations already received were being placed in a non-lapsing, interest-free State account. Establishing a non-profit organization seemed an appropriate solution whereby outside veteran and civic groups, individuals, businesses, etc. could make tax-deductible donations to support the cemetery. Additionally, the received funds could be invested to grow and keep up with or exceed inflation, building an endowment to support the cemetery long-term.
In February of 2001, under the leadership of the Adjutant General, Major General John E. Blair, a Charter was drafted and the New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Association, Inc. (NHVCA) was established as a Charitable 501 (c) (3) Organization.
The New Hampshire Veterans Cemetery Association is a Non-Profit Organization organized for the sole purpose of containing tangible and intangible charitable donations received from all sources, and which is intended to support the NH State Veterans Cemetery. We are dedicated to community outreach and increasing public awareness. We collaborate with the Department of Military & Veterans Services and the Cemetery Director to review requests for the purchase of items that the State cannot provide. These items may include monuments, memorials, decorations, furniture, vehicles, equipment, landscaping materials, and other necessary supplies.
