shington, D.C.)–Congressman Jim Langevin (RI-02) has introduced legislation that would make memorial markers available to the families of veterans who died fighting overseas and were laid to rest abroad.

Currently, the Department of Veterans Affairs considers those servicemembers whose remains are classified as “unavailable for burial” eligible for government-provided memorial markers or headstones. This classification includes those whose remains have not been recovered or who were buried at sea, among others. However, there is one glaring exception to this definition – those who died fighting for freedom abroad and were laid to rest there.

“I hope my legislation will help families remember and honor their loved ones who have died overseas in service to their country,” said Langevin. “Why should we deny these families the ability to obtain memorial markers when we already provide them for so many others?”

The United States currently has 24 permanent overseas burial grounds that are the final resting place for nearly 125,000 brave men and women who died serving the United States. These sites are the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission and are a wonderful tribute to those buried there. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs maintains that because these graves can be visited, there is no need to provide families at home with a memorial marker for their deceased loved ones. Langevin’s bill will enable these families to have a memorial closer to home for those who have been lost.

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