Congressman Jimmy Patronis on Thursday announced a proposal to study the establishment of a new National Veterans Cemetery in Okaloosa County, citing the region’s large and growing military and veteran population and limited burial space at Arlington National Cemetery.

• The proposal calls for roughly 200 acres of land for the cemetery. An advisory committee will review possible site locations, including orphan parcels located on Eglin Air Force Base.

“Northwest Florida has a long history of answering our nation’s call to serve,” Patronis said. “Our veterans deserve a final resting place that reflects the honor and sacrifice of their service. A national cemetery in Okaloosa County would ensure those who wore the uniform can be laid to rest with the dignity they’ve earned.”

A newly formed National Veterans Cemetery Steering Committee will begin its work in September and engage stakeholders to provide input and support for the project, according to the release.

The committee will be co-chaired by Brigadier General Fran Hendricks, USAF (Ret.), and Graham W. Fountain, a retired Okaloosa County commissioner, state police colonel and honorary commander of the 492nd Special Operations Wing at Hurlburt Field.

The other committee members are:

• Rear Admiral Philip Dur, US Navy (Ret.)
• State Rep. T. Patterson Maney, retired judge and brigadier general
• Dr. Paul Hsu, founder of the Hsu Educational Foundation
• Colonel Pat Colleton, US Army Special Forces Green Beret (Ret.)
• Colonel Alison Black, USAF (Ret.)
• Colonel Howard Hill, USAF (Ret.), Vietnam-era POW
• Tom Rice, US Army first sergeant (Ret.) and local veterans and military families advocate
• Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden
• J.D. Peacock, retired Clerk of Court and US Army veteran
• Niceville Mayor Dan Henkel, USAF (Ret.)
• Niceville City Councilman Dr. Douglas Stauffer
• Crestview Mayor J.B. Whitten, USAF (Ret.)
• Rev. David Butler
• Shalimar Mayor Mark Franks
• Fort Walton Beach Mayor Emeritus Dick Rynearson, USAF (Ret.)
• Benard Johnson, FPL executive and honorary commander of USAF Eglin 96th Test Wing
• Barbara Slocum, family services director at Watkins-Davis Funeral Home
• Major Don Pardue, USMC (Ret.)
• Major Lisa Jo Spencer, USAF (Ret.), attorney
• Okaloosa County Commissioner Drew Palmer
• Okaloosa County Commissioner Paul Mixon, who will serve as alternating advisors