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The local runners laced up their shoes for the first annual Veterans Memorial 5K Race in Fayetteville today.
The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, a non-profit, put on the event to help raise funds to purchase land for the expansion of the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Veterans say the cemetery will run out of space by 2023, and they need the Washington County Sale Barn property next to the national cemetery for additional space.
A South Carolina Developer has show interest in the property as well, and wants to rezone the area and put up student housing. However, the idea has been met with opposition from not only Veterans, but Washington County residents.
Today's 5K race is the first real fundraising event for the RNCIC. Wesly Stites, who helped organize the race, says it's a very necessary to keep the cemetery open.
"11 states do not have a single national cemetery," Stites said. " Arkansas, because of the civil war has three but one of those is closed many years ago and Fort Smith is very close to being full. This is the only one in the state that is likely to remain open and that's because of the efforts of the community."
Tyson Foods and Hogeye Inc. sponsored the race.
The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation, a non-profit, put on the event to help raise funds to purchase land for the expansion of the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Veterans say the cemetery will run out of space by 2023, and they need the Washington County Sale Barn property next to the national cemetery for additional space.
A South Carolina Developer has show interest in the property as well, and wants to rezone the area and put up student housing. However, the idea has been met with opposition from not only Veterans, but Washington County residents.
Today's 5K race is the first real fundraising event for the RNCIC. Wesly Stites, who helped organize the race, says it's a very necessary to keep the cemetery open.
"11 states do not have a single national cemetery," Stites said. " Arkansas, because of the civil war has three but one of those is closed many years ago and Fort Smith is very close to being full. This is the only one in the state that is likely to remain open and that's because of the efforts of the community."
Tyson Foods and Hogeye Inc. sponsored the race.
