Veterans’ Medallion Available for Order

Veterans’ Medallion Available for Order

New Option for Marking Veterans’ Graves in Private Cemeteries

WASHINGTON (June 29, 2010) – Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki announced today that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is offering bronze medallions to attach to existing, privately purchased headstones or markers, signifying a deceased's status as a Veteran.

“For Veterans not buried in a national or state Veterans cemetery, or those without a government grave marker, VA is pleased to offer this option that highlights their service and sacrifices for our country,” said Secretary Shinseki.

The new item can be furnished instead of a traditional government headstone or marker for Veterans whose death occurred on or after Nov. 1, 1990, and whose grave in a private cemetery is marked with a privately purchased headstone or marker.

Under federal law, eligible Veterans buried in a private cemetery are entitled to either a government-furnished grave marker or the new medallion, but not both. Veterans buried in a national or state Veterans cemetery will receive a government headstone or marker of the standard design authorized at that cemetery.

The medallion is available in three sizes: 5 inches, 3 inches and 1 ½ inches in width. Each bronze medallion features the image of a folded burial flag adorned with laurels and is inscribed with the word “Veteran” at the top and the branch of service at the bottom.

Next of kin will receive the medallion, along with a kit that will allow the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the medallion to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover.

More information about VA-furnished headstones, markers and medallions can be found at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmtype.asp .

VA is currently developing an application form for ordering the medallion. Until it is available, applicants may use the form for ordering government headstones and markers, VA Form 40-1330. Instructions on how to apply for a medallion are found on the VA Web site at www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp .

Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery. Other burial benefits available for all eligible Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or grave marker.

The new medallions will be available only to Veterans buried in private cemeteries without a government headstone or marker. Families of eligible decedents may also order a memorial headstone or marker when remains are not available for interment.

VA operates 131 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than 3 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict -- from the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan -- are buried in VA’s national cemeteries on more than 19,000 acres.

Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the VA Web site on the Internet at www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.

Memorial Day Message

Greetings from the Grand du Maryland

As Voyagers we have sworn to keep Memorial Day sacred. Thanks to both
Gen. John "Black Jack" Pershing and The American Legion over eighty
years ago the American Overseas Memorial Day Association was founded
"... to remember and honor the memory of those who gave their lives in
World Wars I and II, and whose final resting places are in American
Military Cemeteries or in isolated graves in local cemeteries in
Europe." To honor Gen Pershing support, La Societe will salute
General Pershing on Sunday at 2pm (or about) at his grave site in
Arlington

This Monday, your 40 & 8 will be at Arlington National Cemetery
presenting U.S. Flags to everyone who enters the cemetary. After
Memorial Day addresses are given by the Vice President of the
United States Joe Biden (not the first time a President has not made
the address, 2007 Pres Bush was in Texas) and the Chairman of the
Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chef de Chemin de Fer Gerald
"Jerry" Brady and La Presidente Nationale are invited to
present a wreath at the tomb of the Unknowns. A national
moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. local time. Another
tradition is to fly the flag of the United States at half-staff from
dawn until noon local time. Volunteers often place American flags on
each grave site at National Cemeteries.

In addition to remembrances, Memorial Day is also used as a time for
picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the
longest-standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, an
auto race which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since
1911. The Coca-Cola 600 has been held later the same day since 1961.

If you want to see a patriotic concert go see The National Memorial
Day Concert takes place on the west lawn of the United States Capitol.
The concert is broadcast on PBS and NPR. Music is performed, and
respect is paid to the men and women who gave their lives for their
country. A little hint ot avoid the crowds, there is normally a
rehearsal the day before, that is less crowed.

Keep in mind as we salute our fallen comrades many more Americans view
Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer. We as Voyagers
need to keep the real reason for memorial day sacred. Where you
chapeaux or 40&8 shirt out on Memorial Day to show you support for the
real reason it is a holiday.

May God Bless you and your family and may your weekend be safe. Until
we meet again.
--
Etiam Servans!

BOB OUELLETTE

No Combat Deaths in Iraq

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/8437477.stm

December was the first month in which no US troops were killed in combat in Iraq since the US-led invasion in 2003.

The commander of US forces in Iraq, Gen Ray Odierno, said it was a significant milestone that demonstrated how violence in the country had diminished.

2009 was also the least violent for US troops in Iraq, with 149 losing their lives, compared with 314 in 2008.

In total, 4,371 US military personnel have died since the invasion, according to the Iraq coalition casualty count.

On Friday, Gen Odierno attended a ceremony at Camp Victory on the outskirts of Baghdad marking the change of his command's name from Multinational Force-Iraq (MNF-I) to US Forces-Iraq (USF-I).

"Today, when I fly over Baghdad, I see hope, with bright lights and busy traffic" Gen Ray Odierno, US Forces-Iraq (USF-I)

The all-US contingent of 110,000 troops will now focus on "advising and assisting" Iraqi security forces before combat forces are pulled out by 31 August and ahead of a complete withdrawal by 2011.

"In 2006, when I flew over Baghdad, I remember looking down on a city cloaked by darkness and gripped in fear," Gen Odierno said.

Insurgent attacks have dropped from more than 200 a day two years ago to approximately 15 a day, according to Gen David Petraeus, the head of US Central Command, who also attended Friday's ceremony.

Between 94,939 and 103,588 civilians have been killed in attacks in Iraq since 2003, according to the monitoring group Iraq Body Count.