A plan to bring a national cemetery to Brevard County is now a reality, as the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has approved the creation of what will be called Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, in Scottsmoor.

As our military veterans get older, getting around can be tough. So, the shorter the trip, the better.

Now, families in Brevard County, home to some 70,000 veterans, will soon be able to see their loved ones who have served our country a lot easier and a lot more often.

George Stringfellow, who served in the Air Force for 21 years, saw the world working on all kinds of mechanical and electronic equipment.

"I went in, in 1956, and I retired August 1, 1977," said Stringfellow, now 74.

As he's gotten older, Stringfellow said he's wanted to be buried in a national cemetery. Now, there's one being built just a few miles away from his Titusville home, where he lives with his wife, Donna Kendea.

"We got a lot of World War II and Korean War guys, and they want to be buried locally, not over at Bushnell, or some of the other national cemeteries that are many hundreds of miles away," said Stringfellow.

The only national cemetery currently open in Central Florida is the Florida National Cemetery in Sumter County -- for now.

In 2012, the Department of Veterans Affairs bought a 318-acre section of land off U.S. Highway 1 in Scottsmoor, just a few miles from I-95 and the Volusia County line.

That land will be the location of Cape Canaveral National Cemetery, where more than 17,000 grave sites will be available at the first stage of construction.

Eventually, 163,000 veterans, spouses and other eligible family members from the eastern Central Florida area will be enshrined here.

Donna Kendea said she's beyond thrilled that after her husband is gone, his ashes will have a final resting place nearby, where she will be able to easily visit him anytime.

"We've been waiting for this for a long time," said Kendea. "It's about time."

"Close to a place where somebody could find me," Stringfellow added.

Space Coast Area Transit will also have a bus route from Titusville to the cemetery.

Cape Canaveral National Cemetery is one of two new national cemeteries being built in Florida. The VA Department has also purchased a 250-acre parcel of land in Tallahassee.

That will bring the total of national cemeteries in the Sunshine State to nine. There are currently seven national cemeteries in Florida.