GRAND ISLAND, Neb. - A new chapter is being written for Nebraska's veterans following this weekend's unveiling and dedication of the Nebraska Veterans Cemetery in Grand Island.

The community now has a final resting place worthy of its heroes and it took years of work and a united front at every level of government in order to make it a reality.

"So it's been a long vision, it's been a quick sprint at the end and frankly for being 22 months in I think it's looking pretty good," said Nebraska Department of Veterans' Affairs Director John Hilgert.

The new Grand Island State Veterans Cemetery is now open after breaking ground nearly two years ago, and more than 20 years after it was first imagined.

"It's really fitting that a full team of people from state and federal government came together to make this take place, and this will be the most awesome veterans home in the United States of America. Only in Nebraska, the Nebraska way," said Governor Jim Pillen. 

The fundraising effort saw kids with coin jars all the way to veterans organizations. Donors from all across the country chipped in to get the project funded, pushing it into eligibility for a federal VA grant.

"You'll always see I think really good, good support in Washington. It's one of the responsibilities we have as a federal government to make sure that we honor our veterans, that we take care of our military and it's an honor to be able to do that, to give back to our veterans, to give back to their families for all the sacrifices that they give every single day," said Senator Deb Fischer.

The one and a half acre cemetery will serve more than 13,000 veterans and their families for decades to come.

Full body burials, cremation and in-ground cremations are all available and the facility is staffed daily.

The vision doesn't stop there- construction will continue on several new additions, including two new bronze statues and a 40-foot clock tower at the cemetery's heart.

The project highlights the unity across local, state and federal levels with Governor Jim Pillen and U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer all attending Saturday's dedication.

"I think it underscores Nebraska's commitment and the commitment from our congressional delegation regarding our veterans and our active duty service members. It's a good opportunity for them to become reconnected to say, 'hey our team in Washington is batting for us here in Nebraska.' And sometimes folks need to hear that and they heard it today," said Hilgert.

It took the whole community to bring the cemetery to life and it stands as a symbol of Nebraska's unshakeable commitment to its heroes.