August Robert Sankey couldn't believe what he was reading.

The 82-year-old World War II veteran had received an envelope of coupons in the mail and one read: "God bless our veterans! Register for a free space at absolutely no cost to you."

The ad was referring to a free burial space at Bellevue Memorial Gardens on Wrightsboro Road.

"It was so good that it was hard to believe," Mr. Sankey said.

Believe it.

John Reeves, the owner of Bellevue Memorial Gardens, said he feels it's his duty to give back to veterans. When he purchased the cemetery in 1994, he noticed it didn't have a veterans' section.

"Throughout the country, most cemeteries honor their veterans with a veterans' section. One of the first things I did was develop the Veterans Field of Honor," Mr. Reeves said.

Every year, he offers free interment rights to veterans on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Nonveteran family members must be buried elsewhere in the cemetery.

Bellevue has unlimited spaces for veterans. The offer expires Dec. 1, Mr. Reeves said.

Mr. Sankey went to the office to verify the information and signed up for a free space.

"At my age, and the very fact that they were offering to the veterans a free plot ... those people are so kind, so considerate and so understanding. That's what got me," Mr. Sankey said.

The veteran had not made other plans for a cemetery plot, though his wife had.

"I was planning on being buried at sea," said Mr. Sankey, who served in the Navy from 1943-47 and then in the Army until 1952.

Mr. Reeves said the free spaces do cost him money, but he thinks it's worth it. He placed the coupon in several mailers sent around the area.

"A cemetery gets its success from what we call heritage. We gain the heritage because when a father or grandfather ... is interred, his children or grandchildren will consider that place for their family when they have a loss," Mr. Reeves explained. "There's no losers. Everybody wins."

Mr. Sankey said he is honored to one day be buried among fellow troops.

"Once you're in the service, there's nothing like it. It's just a family you never really leave behind. To be together in the veterans' part of the cemetery is outstanding," he said.

Reach LaTina Emerson at (706) 823-3227 or latina.emerson@augustachronicle.com.