Written by
Dee Loflin, SMT Writer

Bloomfield, Missouri - The Missouri Department of Public Safety Veterans Commission is a state agency that was established by Missouri Statue to aid all Veterans, their dependents, and legal representatives by providing information regarding the rights of Veterans and to assist Veterans in accessing available benefits through both the State and Federal Government. 

Within the Veterans Commission is the Veterans Cemetery Program.  The Missouri Veterans Commission created a network of Veterans cemeteries throughout Missouri  so that every Missouri Veteran will have reasonable access to a Veterans Cemetery.  There are five such cemeteries in the State that are in operation at this time:  Springfield, Higginsville, Bloomfield, Ft. Leonard Wood, and Jacksonville.

The Missouri Veterans Cemetery at Bloomfield conducted its first interment on September 29, 2003.  The current Director is Ken Swearengin, who was recently awarded the Employee of the Month by the Missouri Veterans Cemetery Central Office/Veterans Services Program/Cemeteries program.  Mr. Bryan Hunt, Deputy Director of the Missouri Veterans Commission and Mr. Stan Baughn, Missouri Veterans Commission, Director of Veterans Cemetery Program were on hand to recognize Mr. Swearengin with a plaque to honor him.

Ken is instrumental in organizing the "Wreaths Across America", Veterans Day Celebrations, Annual Fishing Day, Memorial Day Celebrations and honoring our fallen who are buried at the Veterans Cemetery in Bloomfield.

If you would like to see pictures of the events and learn more about the cemetery you can go to their Facebook page, Missouri Veterans Cemetery - Bloomfield.