There has been a recent change in VA regulations regarding memorials for veterans of wars prior to WWI. Up until October 2023, the VA would only issue markers for these veterans if the application came from a documented relative of the veteran. So, for example, if a veterans' organization in Canton or Jay wanted to install a VA memorial headstone for a soldier who had been killed in action in the Revolutionary War and whose remains were lost, it would have been necessary to locate a living relative to fill out the application form.
Ironically, if the soldier had died or been killed in action during WWI or later, anybody could apply for the headstone.
After working for some time through Senator Angus King's office to resolve this situation as it related to a U.S. Army captain from Portland who had been killed in action in the War of 1812, Senator Angus King's office received an email on October 3, 2023, from Taniesha Kelly, Congressional Relations Officer, Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs saying that the Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, Memorial Products Service (which produces the VA headstones), "has removed the familial relationship language from its letter template and had sent a written reminder to all case managers and supervisors reemphasizing that they are not to deny memorial headstone requests based on the invalid regulatory applicant definition."
In short, although the VA application form still says it must be "a member of the decedent's family" who applies for the stone, the VA's letter of October 3, 2023, clearly states that these instructions are in error, and anyone who was eligible to request a headstone for a WWI and later veteran can now also request a stone for a veteran of earlier wars. Those who are eligible to apply include relatives, local or state officials, veterans groups, civic organizations (such as historical societies), or a "personal representative", who can be just about anybody.
Submitted by MOCA member, Larry Glatz
