Vicksburg National Cemetery has reopened to all public use. The National Cemetery had been closed since a severe storm Dec. 27, 2018, damaged more than 35 large-growth trees.

“Our maintenance crews have spent every available minute in the National Cemetery cleaning up debris,” said VNMP Superintendent Bill Justice. “The damage was so immense that we called upon the community to help.”

Justice said that over the last few months, more than 1,000 volunteer hours have been donated by community members, groups and AmeriCorps volunteers to help with the cleanup efforts.

“It is because of their hard work that we are finally able to reopen the cemetery,” Justice said.

More than 50 dump truck loads of downed limbs were removed from the national cemetery over the last three months, according to Justice.