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A used backhoe with plenty of life left found a new home at the Columbia VA Health Care System thanks to a strong interagency partnership with the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) and
a shared commitment to resource stewardship. Originally stationed at Fort Jackson National Cemetery (FJNC), the backhoe became available after the cemetery acquired a new John Deere 320 P in
December 2023. Rather than disposing of the older unit, the NCA followed federal guidelines requiring excess equipment be offered to other Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) entities
before being auctioned or scrapped. Steve Cannon, inventory management specialist for Columbia VAHCS, coordinated the transfer after being notified in May 2024. “My role was to act as a
facilitator between the giving and receiving departments,” Cannon said. “That meant making sure all documentation was complete, the equipment was inspected, and transportation was
scheduled.” The backhoe, originally purchased in 2008 for $61,642.83, had exceeded its standard 10-year life expectancy. But after inspecting the machine and confirming minor issues—such as
the need for hydraulic fluid and AC maintenance—Cannon determined the equipment could still serve a valuable purpose. Cannon consulted with Columbia VA’s Engineering Service to evaluate
internal needs. “We didn’t currently have a backhoe,” said Chris Zell, chief of Engineering. “This will help us with spreading gravel, trenching, digging, planting trees, and loading
materials. It’s a tremendous value considering our minimal investment.” Zell added that the equipment’s condition was solid and its potential workload capacity outweighed any foreseeable
repair costs. “The price of a new unit far exceeds what it cost us to deliver and repair this one,” he said. All sides praised the teamwork involved. “Consistent communication and strong
working relationships made this possible,” Cannon said. “The cemetery staff and our Engineering team were great partners throughout.” Harold Rice, administrative officer at FJNC, echoed that
sentiment. “We’ve partnered on equipment transfers before, and Mr. Cannon made this another smooth transition,” Rice said. “The backhoe was in good working condition and came with service
records.” The reuse effort highlights the VA’s commitment to sustainability and fiscal responsibility. According to VA policy, facilities must use federal excess property as their first
source of supply and fully utilize equipment until it becomes obsolete. “This is a perfect example of reusing rather than discarding,” Cannon said. “We’re not only meeting internal needs,
but also maximizing taxpayer dollars and extending the useful life of federal assets.” For more information about what’s going on at the Veterans medical center, clinic locations, and other
services available to Veterans in and around Columbia, visit the website https://www.va.gov/columbia-south-carolina-health-care/ and follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, keyword:
VAColumbiaSC.