Washington, D.C. - Congressman Charles B. Rangel applauded the efforts of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in streamlining the process to request a grave marker medallion. The bronze medallion, a device that marks private Veteran gravestones, proudly displays the word "Veteran" at the top, along with the image of a Veteran's branch of service and a folded burial flag with laurels.

"We owe a debt to those who have sacrificed in the service of our country," Rangel said. "Commemorating the lives of our soldiers is a priority, and I commend the efforts of VA under the leadership of Secretary Eric K. Shinseki in clearing the red tape from a process that used to inordinately burden the grieving families of American heroes."

Veterans are eligible for the medallion if their death occurred on or after Nov. 1, 1990. Eligible Veterans buried in a private cemetery are entitled to either the medallion or a government-furnished grave marker. Next of kin receive the medallion, along with a kit that allows the family or the staff of a private cemetery to affix the medallion to a headstone, grave marker, mausoleum or columbarium niche cover.

More information about the medallion or headstones and markers can be found at http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/hm/hmorder.asp. To order a government medallion, go to http://www.va.gov/vaforms/va/pdf/VA40-1330M.pdf to download the order form.