Thought this might be of interest. Margie R. Pearce URL: www.angelfire.com/la/ancestors -----Original Message----- From: RHollis123@aol.com <RHollis123@aol.com> To: MSTIPPAH-L@rootsweb.com <MSTIPPAH-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Wednesday, January 27, 1999 11:45 PM Subject: Free Headstones to Any Veteran >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 > > >______________________________