The Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation (RNCIC) was organized in 1984 to aid in the expansion and improvement of the Fayetteville National Cemetery. It is a legally constituted, not-for-profit corporation whose officers and directors are made up of veterans and non-veterans who work without compensation. Membership in the RNCIC is open to all interested parties.

RNCIC's Mission
The mission of the RNCIC is to secure land adjacent to the Fayetteville National Cemetery to insure 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.

RNCIC's Goal
We members of the Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corporation are committed to the acquisition of land adjacent to the Fayetteville National Cemetery to ensure that it is not closed to burials. Without past donations for the purchase of land, the cemetery would be closed to burials today. 18 pieces of land have been purchased by the RNCIC since 1984. There are still 16 pieces adjacent to the cemetery that are suitable for expansion. We have an opportunity to purchase additional land. The owners of several tracts on Hill and Government Avenues are ready to sell. Our goal to purchase all property along Government Avenue to the railroad tracks and all property along Hill Street will cost approximately $1,300,000. And now the adjacent stockyard property is for sale for a sum beyond our reach.

The History
The Fayetteville National Cemetery opened in 1867. 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." Fourteen cemeteries were established that first year, including one in the sleepy Maryland town of Sharpsburg where 4,476 Union soldiers were laid to rest after the one day of terrible slaughter that was the Battle of Antietam. By comparison, approximately 3,000 Americans, British and Canadians died on June 6, 1944, in the invasion of Normandy.

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. More than 300 recipients of the Medal of Honor are buried in VA's national cemeteries, including Clarence Craft in the Fayetteville National Cemetery. Visit the Medal Of Honor website to read Craft's remarkable citation. He lived in Fayetteville many, many years.

Many of the national cemeteries have been closed to further burials - including the one in Little Rock - having reached full capacity, and additional ones are open only for cremation urn placements. 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 utilities, pipes, sewers, etc. At the current rate of burials, Fayetteville National Cemetery will reach capacity in 2023.

We Need Your Support
Many people have given generously in the past and are being asked to contribute again. Your giving will be deeply appreciated and donations are tax deductible under current law. RNCIC tax identification will be furnished upon request. Find out more about us from news articles linked below. We thank our friends at the Northwest Arkansas Times, Morning News, White River Valley News and Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for publicizing our efforts.

Print out the contribution form and mail it with your donation to:
Regional National Cemetery Improvement Corp.
P.O. Box 4221
Fayetteville, Arkansas 72702.

MEDAL OF HONOR
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