Thought this was of interest and worth posting. I had a free headstone placed on my gg grandfather's unmarked in Jefferson Co., AL a few years ago. Rosemary Nichols Hollis ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Government Provides Free Headstones to Any Veteran ASSOCIATED PRESS A polished new headstone stands by two worn markers in a tiny private cemetery in Tennessee, a tribute to the man whose gravesite it marks and a federal program that tries to ensure that no veteran's grave goes unmarked. John Alford was a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia who died in Nashville on April.24,1837. Though he served in the military more than 200 years ago, his family still was eligible for a government headstone through the National Cernetery System, the section of the Department of Veterans Affairs that maintains 115 national cemeteries. Steven Westerfeld, a spokesman for the system, said a gravestone can be the most significant benefit a veteran receives."These are people who fought for our country and we owe a great debt of gratitude for that and it behooves us to make sure that they are not forgotten." Westerfeld said. The VA provided about 270,000 headstones last year. Though most of the markers go to recently deceased veterans, the tombstone and marker project also provides stones to replace those that have been lost, damaged or destroyed. Jane Alford found John Alford's stone was crumbling when her genealogy research led her to the tiny cemetery on the lawn of a historic home on the outskirts of Nashville. John Alford, her husband's great-great-great-great-greatgrandfather, joined the Army in Virginia and guarded British prisoners of war. While researching his background, Jane Alford learned about the headstone program,.which requires documentation of a veteran's service. It takes about a year for a headstone, valued at about $350, to be carved and shipped. Families may choose either granite or marbIe headstones, or a brass marker. And the headstone or marker may be upright or flat. To apply for a headstone, contact Memorial Programs Services at (800) 697-6947. NORTH COUNTY TIMES JANUARY 10, 1999