WASHINGTON --The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released the first of a series of reports on improving VA's national cemeteries. The report, "Cemetery Standards of Appearance,” discusses such items as location, design, monuments, trees, headstones, lawns and flowers as attributes of outstanding cemeteries.
VA manages 120 national cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico, half of which date to the Civil War.
“Each national cemetery is a national shrine that expresses the appreciation and respect of a grateful nation for the service and sacrifice of her veterans,” said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
VA contracted with the firm Logistics Management Institute, of McLean, Va., to examine the appearance of veterans and civilian cemeteries around the world, including some of VA’s own national cemeteries. One goal was to define the characteristics of the “finest cemeteries in the world.”
Congress passed legislation (Public Law 106-117, Section 613) in 1999 requiring VA to determine what is needed to ensure that national cemeteries have a dignified and respectful setting and that they meet the future burial needs of veterans. Other reports in the series -- “Future Burial Needs” and “National Shrine Commitment: Facility Condition Assessment” -- are slated for release later this year.
VA will use the study to ensure that each national cemetery is maintained as a national shrine. VA defines a national shrine as "a place of honor and memory that declares to the visitor or family member who views it that within its majestic setting each and every veteran may find a sense of serenity, of historic sacrifice and nobility of purpose. Each visitor should depart feeling that the grounds, the gravesites and the environs of the national cemetery are a beautiful and awe-inspiring tribute to those who gave much to preserve our nation's freedom and way of life."
Principi said the report will serve as a planning tool to review and refine existing standards. When completed, the series of reports will provide a guide for maintaining VA's national cemeteries.
