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REGIONAL NATIONAL CEMETERY
IMPROVEMENT CORP.
P.O. BOX 4221
FAYETTEVILLE, ARKANSAS 72702
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The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation (RNCIC) was
incorporated in 1984 to aid in the expansion and improvement of the Fayetteville
National Cemetery.
The incorporators were Col. Larry L. Browne, Jr., Ken Gibson and John Wm. Murphy.
These three were also the RNCIC's first Board of Directors. Clem McClelland was our first president.
It is a legally constituted, not-for-profit corporation (501 c 3) whose officers and directors are volunteers working
without compensation. Membership in the RNCIC is open to all interested parties.
We have kept the Cemetery open for burials and increased its size by over 200% since
our founding. Without past donations for the purchase of land, the cemetery would be
closed to burials today.
Our mission is to secure land adjacent to the Fayetteville National Cemetery to ensure
the cemetery can continue to receive veterans for burial. Veterans living in Northwest
Arkansas, as well as many veterans living outside our region, have planned their final
resting place here. This desire stems from having been born and raised in Northwest
Arkansas, having close family ties here, or having made their homes in the area following
their service.
On July 17, 1862, Congress enacted legislation that authorized President Abraham Lincoln to purchase
"cemetery grounds" to be used as national cemeteries "for soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country."
National Cemeteries were established following an Act of Congress of February 22, 1867 and put under the jurisdiction of the War Department.
The War Department purchased four parcels of land in Fayetteville totalling 6.009 acres from Stephen K. Stone,
merchant, on May 20, 1867 and David Walker, lawyer and judge, on June 14, 1867. This land constituted the Fayetteville National Cemetery
which opened July 2, 1867.
The Cemetery has been placed on the National registry of Historic Places and the Civil War Discovery Trail.
It has also been declared a National Shrine.
The present size of the Fayetteville National Cemetery is nearly 16 acres and has over 10,398 interments.
The increase in size has come about from many donations of land by the Regional National Improvement Corp. (RNCIC) beginning on August 1, 1989.
Since September 1, 1973, responsibility for the national cemetery rests with the
Department of Veterans Affairs. Today, there are 136 national cemeteries in all. The
Department of Veterans Affairs, through its National Cemetery Administration,
administers 120 of them. Two national Cemeteries, Arlington and Soldiers Home, are still
administered by the Army. Fourteen national cemeteries are maintained by the Department
of the Interior.
More than 2.5 million Americans, including veterans of every war and conflict - from
the Revolutionary War to the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars - are honored by burial in VA's
national cemeteries. More than 14,200 acres of land from Hawaii to Maine, and from
Alaska to Puerto Rico are devoted to the memorialization of those who served this nation.
Many of the national cemeteries have been closed to further burials and some are open
only for cremations. Expansion to any existing cemetery can only be done by adding
adjacent usable land. Any acquisition must be donated to the National Cemetery with an
unencumbered title and the land cleared of all structures, utilities, pipes, sewers, etc.
We Need Your Support! Many people have given generously in the past.
Your giving will be deeply appreciated and donations are tax deductible under current law.
The RNCIC tax identification will be furnished upon request. Find out more about us from news articles linked below.
Please become a member and/or make a donation. We are the only organization of our kind in the country.
Print out the contribution/donation form and mail it with your check to:
Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corp.
P.O. Box 4221
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702.
Now you can donate online. Just click on the Donate button
WE ARE EXTREMELY GRATEFUL FOR THE HUNDREDS
OF DONATIONS AND OTHER FORMS OF SUPPORT
WE HAVE RECEIVED SINCE 1984 TO HELP US ACCOMPLISH OUR GOAL
OF KEEPING THE FAYETTEVILLE NATIONAL CEMETERY OPEN FOR BURIALS.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
The monthly board of directors meetings are at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month
at the American Legion Post 27, 1195 So. Curtis Ave., Fayetteville, AR or via Zoom.
Members and guests are always welcome.
The 2022 RNCIC Annual Meeting was held January 15, 2022 at 10:00 a.m. via Zoom due to the pandemic.
Five members of the Board of Directors were elected.
For three-year terms (22-23-24) Steve Long, Cliff Madewell, Erin Mize, and Christine Thompson.
For a two-year term to fill a vacancy (22-23) Peggy McClain.
A Board of Directors meeting followed to elect officers for 2022.
Steve Real, President - John Barnes, Vice President - Christine Thompson, Secretary - Steve Long, Treasurer.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
Steve Real, President
John Barnes, Vice President
Christine Thompson, Secretary
Steve Long, Treasurer
Jake Lamkins
Cliff Madewell
Peggy McClain
Roger McClain
Dan Webb
Merle Williams
Anton McBride, ex officio
LIKE and FOLLOW us at
"Jannie, Anton and I had an incredible opportunity today to speak with the Secretary Of Veteran Affairs
Denis McDonough from Washington DC along with Senator John Boozman and Representative Steve Womack at the FNC.
I explained and educated them about the RNCIC, gave them all a history book as well as a pamphlet
while talking about the incredible work that has been done to donate the 13.76 acres over the years
to prevent burial closing in 1989 as well as our current funding needs to acquire surrounding land.
Jannie spoke on behalf of Bo's Blessing and was recognized for all of her efforts helping Veterans.
Thank you Jannie for what you do!!
This is the exposure that's critical to provide the RNCIC the support we need to continue our mission!!!"
-Steve Real, RNCIC President
CHECK OUT OUR NEW UPDATED HISTORY OF THE RNCIC
This schematic map shows how much the RNCIC has added
to the Fayetteville National Cemetery since our founding in 1984.
Our latest purchase is the lot in gray on the left side.
We closed on it in Aug 2019.
We are in the process of giving it to the cemetery.
An aerial view of the Fayetteville National Cemetery
shows the latest developments in 2021.
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LINKS
Fayetteville City Map
Fayetteville National Cemetery 2005 aerial photo
Fayetteville National Cemetery 2009 aerial photo
showing Sale Barn property
Fayetteville National Cemetery 2010 aerial photo
shows RNCIC donations being prepared for burials
Fayetteville National Cemetery 2014 aerial photo
shows apartments which replaced the sale barn
Fayetteville National Cemetery Graves
Fayetteville National Cemetery homepage
Fayetteville National Cemetery Interments
Fayetteville National Cemetery map
showing RNCIC land purchases through 2013
Fayetteville National Cemetery map
showing RNCIC land purchases through 2015
Fayetteville National Cemetery map
showing RNCIC land purchases through 2016
RNCIC Brochure
RNCIC Bylaws
RNCIC History dated 1989
RNCIC History dated 1997
RNCIC History dated 2014
RNCIC History dated Aug 2021
RNCIC Life Members
VA Arkansas state summary
VA Burial & Benefits
VA Homepage
VA Records
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THE RNCIC ARCHIVES
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009 and older
Many thanks to our contributors for their support!
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Many, many thanks to the City of Fayetteville for a grant of $25,000 in 1989,
the State of Arkansas for a grant of $47,000 in 1997,
Bob and Lorna Sterrett for their $50,000 donation on March 8, 2008,
Don Tyson for his donation of $75,000 on May 28, 2010,
Susannah Porter for her bequest of $20,000 on November 22, 2011,
the State of Arkansas General Improvement Funds totalling $64,000 in late 2013:
Arkansas state legislators Charlie Collins and Cecile Bledsoe each facilitated $25,000 of these grants
with David Whitaker and Debra Hobbs adding $5,000 each,
and a donor who wishes to remain anonymous gave $62,500 in July 2014.
We received a $20,000 grant from the NW Arkansas Economic Development group in July 2015.
We received a $15,000 grant from the NW Arkansas Economic Development group on October 18, 2016.
These are the largest gifts received by the RNCIC since it was founded in 1984.
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Site Content 2004-2022 by RNCIC
Fayetteville, Arkansas USA 72701
Website Design 2004-2022
JAKE LAMKINS, RNCIC Webmaster
All Rights Reserved.
folks have visited here.
Website established February 21, 2004
by Jake LAMKINS
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The RNCIC.com website is possible due to a continuing donation from Jake LAMKINS
in memory of Bill Murphy, Larry Browne, Ken Gibson, Clem McClelland, Elvie Heiney, Milo Cumpston,
John Swaim, Bob Sterrett, Joe Hussey, Walker Collins, Ed Warnock and veterans everywhere.
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