These benefits were eliminated in the spirit of deficit reduction. Now, with substantial budgetary surpluses, Congress should restore these benefits. The proposed increase in the plot allowance will be welcome by states that currently participate in VA s State Cemetery Grants Program. The provision will also encourage additional states to develop and operate veterans cemeteries. Many veterans and their spouses are unaware of this provision.
Veterans often purchase a private plot and marker prior to their death or the death of their spouse.
After the fact, veterans and their spouses who have purchased private markers learn that the United States government will not furnish any type of acknowledgment of their military service at the gravesite. Veterans who have purchased private markers are only eligible for a United States flag to be presented at the funeral. In other instances, when the spouse precedes the veteran in death and the veteran purchases a private marker for the gravesite, the veteran becomes ineligible to obtain a VA headstone. The American Legion believes this is wrong. The American Legion believes the 107 th Congress must take up this issue and pass legislation that would permit veterans to become eligible for some type of VA marker for a privately marked gravesite.