The state's next National Veterans Cemetery could be named for a military hero from Buffalo. During a visit to the site in Pembroke on Monday, Senator Charles Schumer said he is urging the Veterans Administration to name the cemetery after General William J. Donovan. Schumer says "Wild Bill" Donovan is one of our nation's "most distinguished heroes."
"[He] is the only person to receive four awards of the highest honors: the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal and the National Security Medal," Schumer said.
During World War II, Donovan founded and led the Office of Strategic Services, the precursor to the CIA.
The 132-acre site off Indian Church Road near Route 77 will save local families from having to travel to the region's only other national veterans' cemetery in Bath, nearly 90 miles from Buffalo.
The VA selected the Pembroke site in late May, after years of prodding from local officials.
