Bill Gillette Veterans Service Officer
Missouri Veterans Commission
621 E. Highland Ave.
Nevada, MO 64772
417-448-1133
417-448-1132 fax
VA Headstones & Markers:
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no
charge to the applicant, a headstone or marker for the unmarked grave of
any deceased veteran discharged from the US Armed Forces under conditions
other than dishonorable. Service after September 7, 1980, must be for a
minimum of 24 months or be completed under special circumstances, e.g.,
death on active duty. Persons with 20-years service in the National Guard
or Reserves who are entitled to retired pay subsequent to October 27,
1992, are also eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or marker. A
copy of the Reserve Retirement Eligibility Benefits Letter must accompany
the application. Active duty service while in the National Guard or
Reserves also establishes eligibility. Service prior to World War I
requires detailed documentation to prove eligibility such as, muster
rolls, extracts from State files, military or State organization where
served, pension or land warrants, etc. Headstones and markers are provided
for eligible spouses and dependents of veterans only when buried in a
national, military post/base, or State veterans cemetery.
The Veterans Education and Benefits Expansion Act of
2001 included a provision that upgraded the original benefit. The VA will
now accept applications for markers under the provisions of Public Law
107-103 for those whose deaths occur on or after December 27, 2001
regardless of whether the grave is already marked with a non-government
marker. VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or
Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans’ Cemetery must be
submitted by the next of kin, funeral director or cemetery representative,
along with a copy of the veteran’s military discharge documents, to
request a Government-provided headstone or marker. The form can be
downloaded at
www.cem.va.gov/pdf/401330.pdf. Do not
send original documents, as they will not be returned. Until this form is
revised, applicants should ignore references to "unmarked graves" and
should note in Box 27, Remarks that this will be a second marker to mark a
veteran’s gravesite. This new provision will be codified at 38 U.S.C. §
2306(d). [Source: Veterans Resources Network msg. 2 FEB 02 &
Burial
Flags: VA provides an American flag to drape the casket of a deceased
individual who:
Served in any war
Died, while in active military, naval, or air service after 27 MAY 1941
Served after 31 JAN 1955
Died while a member of the Selected Reserve
Served at least one enlistment or had been discharged or released from
active service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of
duty.
Was entitled to retired pay for service as a Reservist at the time of
death, or would have been entitled to retired pay, but for the fact that
the individual was under 60 years of age.
Was a member or former member of the Selected Reserve who completed at
least one enlistment or period of initial obligated service as a member of
the Selected Reserve, or was discharged before completion of the initial
period for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
Veterans separated from service must have been discharged or released
under conditions other than dishonorable. After the funeral service, the
flag may be given to the next of kin, close friend, or associate of the
deceased veteran. Burial flags may be obtained at VA regional offices,
national cemeteries and most post offices. A flag may also be obtained
with VA Form 21-2008 U.S. Flag for Burial Purposes which can be downloaded
at
www.va.gov/FORMS/default.asp. Application should be accompanied by a copy
of the deceased veterans DD-214 or any other discharge document noting an
honorable discharge. [Source: VA Pamphlet 80-01-1] More information On
Veterans Flags -
Click here.
Presidential Memorial Certificate: A Presidential Memorial Certificate
(PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President,
to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased veterans who have not
been convicted of a capital crime. This program was initiated in March
1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent
Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38,
of the United States Code. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the
President’s signature expressing the country’s grateful recognition of the
veteran’s service in the United States Armed Forces. Eligible recipients
include the deceased veteran’s next of kin and loved ones. More than one
certificate may be provided. Eligible recipients, or someone acting on
their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or
by U.S. mail only. Requests cannot be sent via email. All requests must be
in writing. There is no form to use when requesting a PMC however, a copy
of the veteran's discharge and death certificate must be included with the
request. These documents will not be returned. You can Fax your request
and supporting documents to (202) 565-8054 or mail it to: Presidential
Memorial Certificates (402E12), National Cemetery Administration, 810
Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420-0001. If you have any questions
about a certificate you have received, a request you have already sent in,
or about the program in general, you may call (202) 565-4964 or email
PMC@mail.va.gov. [Source:
www.cem.va.gov/pmc.htm 11 DEC 02]
Additional amounts payable for spouses, children and parents to veterans
with ratings of more than 30% Dependency And Indemnity Compensation [DIC]
For Surviving Spouses Veteran’s Death Was On or After 1 January 1993:
Basic Monthly Rate = $948
Additional Allowances: ~ Add $204 if at the time of the veteran’s death,
the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a
service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating
based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8
years immediately preceding death AND the surviving
spouse was married to the veteran for those same 8 years (Combined amount
$1,152)
~ Add $237 per child allowance for each dependent child under age 18 ~ Add
$113 if the surviving spouse is entitled to Housebound Veteran’s Death Was
Before 1 January 1993 E-1 through E-6 $948 ~ E-7 980 ~ E-8 1,035 ~ E-9
$1,080 W-1 $1,001 ~ W-2 1,042 ~W-3 1,072 ~ W-4 $1,134 O-1 $1,001 ~ O-2
1,035 ~O-3 1,107 ~ O-4 1,171 ~ O-5 1,289 ~ O-6 1,453 ~O-7 1,570 ~O-8 1,722
O-9 1,843 ~ O-10 $2,021
Additional Allowances: ~ Add $204 if at the time of the veteran’s death,
the veteran was in receipt of or entitled to receive compensation for a
service-connected disability rated totally disabling (including a rating
based on individual unemployability) for a continuous period of at least 8
years immediately preceding death AND the surviving spouse was married to
the veteran for those same 8 years ~ Add $237 per child allowance for each
dependent child under age 18 ~ Add $113 if the surviving spouse is
entitled to Housebound. To inquire concerning the status of compensation,
DIC, pension, burial, accrued, clothing allowance, automobile, specially
adapted housing, or Spina Bifida claim or to ask any general Compensation
& Pension (C&P) benefit question, call the VA toll-free number
1-800-827-1000 [Source: NAUS Update for 27 November 2002]
