Bill would require grass on veterans’ graves

By Cassie Tomlin

Friday, Jan. 9, 2009 | 6:48 p.m.

Nevada's veterans cemeteries are covered in sprawling live grass, and veterans and their families want to ensure it stays that way.

An Assembly bill to be introduced this state legislative session would require that turf grass surround each plot in the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Boulder City and the Northern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

The Nevada State Veterans Commission requested the measure to make sure the lawns aren't replaced with fake grass or desert landscaping, said Assemblyman Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City, who is co-sponsoring the measure with Assemblyman Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas.

The Legislature convenes Feb. 2. Hardy said he expects the bill to pass easily.

All grave sites are currently grassy except those just interred, which have been seeded, Jack Porrino, supervisor at the cemetery in Boulder City, said.

He said in the desert, sometimes the ground needs to be seeded twice before grass grows.

In October, the Southern Nevada Veterans Memorial Cemetery received a $2.3 million grant for a new maintenance facility and service yard on the grounds.

Cassie Tomlin can be reached at 948-2073 or [email protected].