Government Provides Free Headstones to Any Veteran

NORTH COUNTY TIMES        JANUARY 10, 1999
ASSOCIATED PRESS

A polished new headstone stands by two worn markers in a tiny private cemetery in Tennessee, a tribute to the man whose gravesite it marks and a federal program that tries to ensure that no veteran's grave goes unmarked.
John Alford was a Revolutionary War veteran from Virginia who died in Nashville on April 24,1837. Though he served in the military more than 200 years ago, his family still was eligible for a government headstone through the National Cernetery System, the section of the Department of Veterans Affairs that maintains 115 national cemeteries.
Steven  Westerfeld, a spokesman for the system, said a gravestone can be the most significant  benefit a veteran receives.
"These are people who fought for our country and we owe a great debt of gratitude for that and it behooves us to make sure that they are not forgotten." Westerfeld said.
The VA provided about 270,000 headstones last year. Though most of the markers go to recently deceased veterans, the tombstone and marker project also provides stones to replace those that have been lost, damaged or destroyed.
Jane Alford found John Al ford's stone was crumbling when her genealogy research led her to the tiny cemetery on the lawn of a historic home on the outskirts of Nashville.
John Alford, her husband's great-great-great-great-greatgrandfather, joined the Army in Virginia and guarded British prisoners of war. While researching his background, Jane Alford learned about the headstone program,.which requires documentation of a veteran's service.
It takes about a year for a headstone, valued at about $350, to be carved and shipped. Families may choose either granite or marbIe headstones, or a brass marker. And the headstone or marker may be upright or flat.

To apply for a headstone, contact Memorial Programs Services at (800) 697-6947.

The necessary forms can be obtained from many funeral homes, VA offices, etc., or online via the Internet. For veterans information on headstones and markers, go to http://www.cem.va.gov/hm.htm.
There you will find the eligibility criteria and how/where to get the forms you need.  Also lists a toll-free number for info - 1-800-827-1000.
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My own notes.............
We recently ordered a stone from the government for one of our Civil War vets after finding his thru his pension papers, which led us to his death certificate, and to his burial place.  The genealogy society helped with this one..and it is at no cost to us, unless we want to have someone place it...I believe that cost would be $60.  A complete military funeral was also offered..but we had to decline because the relatives are all too distant to attend...
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and from another Veteran family.........

Here in GA, any funeral home will supply you with the form needed to obtain a marker.  You do have to fill out the form, and supply the documentation of military service, but the form is the same for a Confederate, WWII, Revolutionary or VietNam veteran.
It only took about 3 months for mine to come back, and was shipped, at no cost.  My uncle set the stone on a Saturday morning, with one of his sons, and it looks great.
Maybe this information will simplify someone's life.  No sending off for forms or web searches....just ask at the nearest funeral home.
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