Not much time to compose comments, but I’m glad they e-mailed me. I think I’d filled out a petition or something that got me on a mailing list. Chris > From: NCA Grave Marker Shared Mailbox <ncagraves@va.gov> > To: 'Christopher Philippo' <toff@me.com> > Date: November 28, 2014 at 1:07:48 PM EST > Subject: RE: Marking the graves of America’s veterans > > ***THIS IS AN AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED MESSAGE - PLEASE DO NOT REPLY*** > > Thank you for your email regarding “Marking the graves of America’s veterans” and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulatory definition of “applicant” for purposes of applying for a Government-furnished headstone or marker. > > The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulations regarding applications for headstones or markers. VA is proposing to amend the definition of “applicant,” set forth in 38 CFR 38.632, as it pertains to individuals requesting VA headstones or markers. In 2009, VA implemented the existing definition of applicant to include the decedent’s next of kin (NOK), a person authorized in writing by NOK, or a personal representative authorized in writing by the decedent. An individual who met the definition was authorized to apply for a Government-furnished headstone or marker, or a new emblem of belief for inscription on a Government-furnished headstone or marker. > > Since 2009, VA has received a number of requests from individuals who did not meet the current definition of applicant for headstones or markers. VA has acknowledged concerns that the current regulatory definition of applicant was too restrictive and resulted in identified Veteran gravesites going unmarked. VA shares the goal to ensure appropriate recognition of Veterans who served the United States and proposes to revise the definition of applicant to ease the restrictive aspects of the definition and allow more individuals to apply for headstones or markers, including memorial headstones or markers. > > On October 1, 2014, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register, a proposed rule to amend the existing definition of eligible applicants by expanding the types of individuals who may request headstones or markers on behalf of decedents. VA is seeking input from Veterans, family members and other stakeholders regarding a proposed change to its definition of who may apply for a headstone or marker. Those wishing to review and comment on the proposed changes are encouraged to do so by searching for “National Cemetery Administration” or “2900-AO95” at www.regulations.gov. Comments must be received on or before December 1, 2014. > > Thank you for your interest in the Government Headstone and Marker Program. > > Sincerely, > > National Cemetery Administration > Department of Veterans Affairs

Chris is you happen to find a petition, please post and I want very much to sign it.  I use to do photo request for "Find a Grave" until it became to crazy with people asking in the dead of winter when you can't see markers under feet of snow.  One of the most depressing was having the exact location for a grave and not finding any head/grave marker.  But worst was when it was also a veteran and the stone had become so weather worn, damaged, destroyed or no marker at all and that was hard.  All graves deserve a marker, but many families hardly had the money necessary to bury their loved one and the marker/stone was a luxury.  Where my great great grandparents are buried, their head stone was broken off at the base and the top half was buried in the sod.   After one my cousins spoke with the cemetery, he was informed they do repair and/or replace with as close to same/similar marker as possible at no cost to the family.   So my great great grandparents have a new, identical head stone, Grandpa's DOD1860 and Grandma's DOD 1870.   Our families made a nice donation to the cemetery once we found out this information.   Sally Finley Harloff On Friday, November 28, 2014 12:38 PM, Christopher Philippo via <ny-troy-irish-gensoc@rootsweb.com> wrote: Not much time to compose comments, but I’m glad they e-mailed me.  I think I’d filled out a petition or something that got me on a mailing list. Chris > From: NCA Grave Marker Shared Mailbox <ncagraves@va.gov> > To: 'Christopher Philippo' <toff@me.com> > Date: November 28, 2014 at 1:07:48 PM EST > Subject: RE: Marking the graves of America’s veterans > > ***THIS IS AN AUTOMATICALLY GENERATED MESSAGE - PLEASE DO NOT REPLY*** > > Thank you for your email regarding “Marking the graves of America’s veterans” and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regulatory definition of “applicant” for purposes of applying for a Government-furnished headstone or marker. > > The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) proposes to amend its regulations regarding applications for headstones or markers.  VA is proposing to amend the definition of “applicant,” set forth in 38 CFR 38.632, as it pertains to individuals requesting VA headstones or markers.  In 2009, VA implemented the existing definition of applicant to include the decedent’s next of kin (NOK), a person authorized in writing by NOK, or a personal representative authorized in writing by the decedent.  An individual who met the definition was authorized to apply for a Government-furnished headstone or marker, or a new emblem of belief for inscription on a Government-furnished headstone or marker.    > > Since 2009, VA has received a number of requests from individuals who did not meet the current definition of applicant for headstones or markers. VA has acknowledged concerns that the current regulatory definition of applicant was too restrictive and resulted in identified Veteran gravesites going unmarked.  VA shares the goal to ensure appropriate recognition of Veterans who served the United States and proposes to revise the definition of applicant to ease the restrictive aspects of the definition and allow more individuals to apply for headstones or markers, including memorial headstones or markers. > > On October 1, 2014, the National Cemetery Administration (NCA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) published in the Federal Register, a proposed rule to amend the existing definition of eligible applicants by expanding the types of individuals who may request headstones or markers on behalf of decedents.  VA is seeking input from Veterans, family members and other stakeholders regarding a proposed change to its definition of who may apply for a headstone or marker.  Those wishing to review and comment on the proposed changes are encouraged to do so by searching for “National Cemetery Administration” or “2900-AO95” at www.regulations.gov.  Comments must be received on or before December 1, 2014. > > Thank you for your interest in the Government Headstone and Marker Program. > > Sincerely, > > National Cemetery Administration > Department of Veterans Affairs ===NY-IRISH-GENSOC Mailing List=== Time for Society Members to pay up their **2014 Dues**.  See the Website for details: Troy Irish Genealogy Society www.rootsweb.com/~nytigs/ Click ON - "JOIN TIGS NOW!" to get form. ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to NY-TROY-IRISH-GENSOC-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message