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NERA supports suggested establishment of another site As always, NERA continues to follow and represent our
or sites with the current eligibility and full military hon- members with Congress, Department of Defense and
ors. There are two sites currently suggested to meet the Department of Veterans Affairs to protect and promote
150-year requirement. One is on available land at Marine the benefits and compensation earned by our members.
Corps Base Quantico, VA that is approximately 34 miles
from Arlington. The other is somewhere on the West If you have specific questions or concerns, please con-
Coast of the U.S., possibly as a joint project with the tact me by calling or texting me on my cell phone at
Department of Veterans Affairs. 443-812-9591.

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) operates over 150 n In most cases, a non-service-connected veteran has to
Veterans National Cemeteries and supports 116 State have had at least two years of continuous active duty,
Veteran Cemeteries. Some of these cemeteries may not not including active duty for training (acdutra), to qual-
have any in-ground burial sites available and a few may ify for VA benefits. Note: A recent change may allow
not even have inurnment or wall sites due to space retired non-service-connected Reservists and National
limitations. Check with the cemetery to be sure. They Guard members with 20 years of service to be eligible
can suggest the closest alternative sites if they are at with one day of active duty, not including acdutra.
capacity. n A spouse and dependent children of qualified veter-
ans may be eligible for burial and memorial benefits,
Eligibility even if they predecease the veteran.
n Veterans discharged under other than honorable
n Service-connected veterans, those who died while conditions, those who died serving a federal prison
under VA care, and those receiving VA compensation sentence and those who died serving in Congress
or pension are eligible for burial or inurnment in a don't typically qualify for VA burial benefits.
VA National Cemetery.

Benefits

Burial at a VA National Cemetery be submitted within 2 years of the veteran's burial or
Those eligible receive, at no cost, an allowance for the cremation. Allowances may include burial and funeral
costs, costs of the plot/gravesite or internment, cost
cost of transporting the remains to a national cemetery, of a headstone or marker and cost of transporting the
a gravesite, grave-liner, opening and closing of the grave, remains to the final resting place. These are set maxi-
a headstone or marker and perpetual care of the site. mum amounts that any or may not cover the actual costs
Veterans may also get a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial and are reviewed for changes each year. Allowances also
Certificate and military funeral honors provided by the vary depending on service connection and VA care at
Department of Defense.
time of death.
Burial in a Private Cemetery Note: These cost must be paid before filing a claim and
The VA may provide certain allowances for an eligible receipts submitted with the claim. Funeral directors can
veteran's burial in a private cemetery. Applications must normally assist in this process.

NERA continues to follow benefit and compensation updates and legislation
across a wide spectrum that may have an impact on our members.

If you have a particular area of interest you would like addressed or an inquiry please
let me know by email at [email protected] or call/text me at 443-812-9591.

The Naval Enlisted Reserve Association 7

5/18/23 3:14 PM
Mariner Spring 2023 Volume 66 Issue 051823.indd 7
Mariner Spring 2023 Volume 66 Issue 051823.indd 7 5/18/23 3:14 PM