The federal government approved a multi-million dollar grant earlier this week to build a veterans cemetery in Ardmore.

Joel Kintsel, the executive director for Oklahoma Dept. of Veterans Affairs, said the U.S. Dept. of Veterans Affairs approved a $5.9 million grant for the cemetery on Tuesday.

"This is very special because this gives us, yet, another way to serve our veterans in Oklahoma, to meet their needs at whatever point in their life they are and that we're really excited about this," Kintsel said.

Kintsel said Oklahoma has two federally-operated cemeteries at Fort Sill and Fort Gibson, but no state-operated cemeteries right now.

The one in Ardmore would be the first and offer 32,000 burial plots for veterans on 23 acres.

The cemetery is planned to be built on the southwest corner of the existing veterans center and be maintained like a national cemetery.

Army veteran Robert Dembski said the cemetery would be a good addition.

"I think the complex here now is great and I think the cemetery would be a positive thing," Dembski said. "I think it would add dignity to this facility."

Shawn Kirkland, the administrator for the Ardmore VA Center, said local veterans will be appreciative of the cemetery.

"It's going to be something that, even, they can go honor those that have fallen and just another way for the state to recognize our veterans," Kirkland said.

It's expected to be completed in the next three to four years.

"That's what it's about, for the veterans, letting them have a final resting place for their dignity," Dembski said.

The ODVA said the next step is to work with architects and engineers designing the cemetery.