The United States currently has 24 permanent overseas burial grounds that are the final resting place for nearly 125,000 service members who died serving our country. These sites are the responsibility of the American Battle Monuments Commission. However, the Department of Veterans Affairs maintains that because these graves can be visited, there is no need to provide families at home, in the United States, with a memorial marker for their deceased loved ones buried there. H.R. 2188, which Langevin is sponsoring, seeks to amend that rule.

“I often have the opportunity to hear stories of duty and honor from my constituents,” said Langevin. “The idea for this legislation is the result of a conversation I had with a Rhode Island World War II veteran who wanted to be able to memorialize those who died in service to our country but are buried overseas.”

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), those service members whose remains are classified as “unavailable for burial” are eligible for government-provided memorial markers or headstones. While this classification includes those whose remains have not been recovered or who were buried at sea, there is one exception to this definition – those who died fighting for freedom abroad and were laid to rest there. To correct this, Langevin’s legislation will add overseas burials to the VA’s “unavailable for burial” classification.

“Unfortunately, for many families, a trip abroad to visit their loved ones is not possible due to finances or old age,” continued Langevin. “A memorial marker is a way to keep the memory of their loved one alive, while also teaching younger generations about sacrifice. Passage of this legislation will let these men and women be memorialized by their families here at home.”