NATIONAL CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Bart Stack

Since our last report there have been some VA – National Cemetery Administration updates and expanded burial benefits available to qualified veterans and their families. Pennsylvania is fortunate to have 4 of the 155 national cemeteries providing burial services both for traditional casket or cremation burials, and assistance for burial in a national cemetery or for memorial benefits such as headstone, flat marker, or bronze medallions for use in private cemeteries. Previously, the VA covered the cost for transporting the remains to eligible national cemeteries. Now, this benefit has been extended to include transportation expenses to state and tribal veteran cemeteries. For complete benefit and burial allowance information for service-related and nonservice- related deaths I recommend you go to: www.cem.va.gov/burials-memorials/preneed-eligability., for a more detailed explanation of benefits. The VA-NCA continues to stress and recommend that both veterans and their spouses, family or caregivers begin now to plan ahead for burial in a national cemetery. A veterans DD-214 or other separation documents are vital insure and verify that they are eligible for all VA benefits they may be entitled to. Additional important documentation such as VA claim number, Social Security number, copies of marriage certificates, family life insurance policies and children’s birth certificates should be kept within easy access to family members. As always, thank you to all of the Legionnaires, SAL, ALR and Aux. members that graciously give their time to volunteer as members of an Honor-Color Units, NCA volunteers that provide the support for the families of our departed comrades.