WASHINGTON -- The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has released a study, National Shrine Commitment, providingthe first independent, nationwide review of conditions at 119 VA national cemeteries. VA will use the information in the report to make funding decisions and set priorities for making repairs.
"This planning tool will help ensure that our cemeteries continue to provide the dignified and respectful setting that veterans deserve," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi.
Independent teams of engineers and architects conducted extensive site visits to each cemetery to identify and recommend projects for improving the condition, function or appearance of the cemeteries. They assessed burial sections, roadways, buildings, historic structures and identified 928 potential improvement projects at an estimated cost of $280 million.
The report is the final one of three reports on VA's national cemeteries required by the Veterans Millennium Health Care and Benefits Act. Previously issued reports covered the feasibility of setting national cemetery standards of appearance that would be commensurate with those of the world's finest cemeteries and an assessment of the future burial needs of veterans through 2020.
VA officials emphasized that the maintenance of cemetery grounds and facilities requires continuing efforts. VA’s budgets for fiscal years 2001 through 2003 include a total of $25 million for gravesite renovation and repair projects. This funding, as well as other expenditures and work already scheduled, will accomplish some of the improvements identified in the report. VA officials said they will set priorities for completing the recommended projects. Priorities will be based on the nature and severity of the problems and on data from the survey on customer satisfaction with the cemeteries. VA will also evaluate the long-term benefits of the contractor’s recommended repairs and establish a timeline for funding the projects.
VA now manages 120 national cemeteries in the United States and Puerto Rico, half of which date to the Civil War. Fort Sill National Cemetery in Oklahoma opened for service after the study was completed. Burial in a national cemetery is open to all military personnel and veterans of the U.S. armed forces discharged under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and dependent children.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from VA web sites on the Internet at http://www.va.gov or http://www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.
