In FY 07, 359,530 applications were processed for standard government headstones and markers. It is estimated that the total applications processed will be 347,300 in FY 08, and 344,700 in FY 09. Procurement of headstones, markers, and inscriptions on existing niche covers and headstones in FY 07 was 334,257 and estimates are 346,315 in FY 08, and 343,702 in FY 09. In FY 07, 423,143 Presidential Memorial Certificates were issued. It is estimated that 391,700 will be issued in FY 08, and 388,700 in FY 09.

Uses and Use Restrictions

Headstones and Markers: For eligible veterans only who are buried in a private cemetery and who died before September 11, 2001, government-furnished headstones and markers may be furnished only for the unmarked graves.

For eligible veterans only who are buried in a private cemetery and who die on or after September 11, 2001, government-furnished headstones and markers are furnished for the grave regardless if it is already marked with a privately purchased headstone.

For the unmarked grave of eligible veterans and eligible family members buried in a VA national cemetery, a Department of Interior national cemetery, a State Veterans Cemetery operating under a grant through the State Cemetery Grants Program, Arlington National Cemetery, or a Military/Post cemetery.

A memorial headstone or marker may be furnished for a veteran when the remains are non-recoverable.

The memorial headstone or marker must be placed in a recognized cemetery.

A memorial headstone or marker may also be furnished for the eligible spouse of the veteran if placement of the memorial headstone or marker is in a national or state cemetery.

Benefits include: procurement of Government headstones, markers, and niche covers; authorized inscription; costs of shipment to destination; installation and maintenance costs in national, state and military/post cemeteries; and, replacements when headstones, markers, and niche covers are severely damaged, when inscriptions are incorrect, or when inscriptions have become illegible.

Presidential Memorial Certificates: Provided to family members and friends of the honorably discharged veteran to honor the memory of the veteran.

Additional certificates may also be requested and provided.

Benefits include: procurement of a gold embossed paper certificate inscribed with the veteran's name that bears the President's signature; and mailed to family members and/or friends of the veteran.

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Eligibility Requirements

Applicant Eligibility

When burial or memorialization is in a private cemetery, the applicant is normally the next of kin.

In the absence of relatives, the applicant need not be a member of the deceased's family.

The applicant's signature on VA Form 40-1330, "Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker for Installation in a Private or State Veterans Cemetery," certifies all information on the application is correct, and the type of headstone or marker requested is permitted by the cemetery on the grave of the veteran, or for memorialization in an appropriate area of the cemetery.

If a burial or memorialization plot is in a national cemetery, State veterans cemetery, or a military/post cemetery, the Cemetery Director orders the headstone or marker, after completion of the interment in the cemetery, or upon need for replacement.

Beneficiary Eligibility

Any deceased veteran of wartime or peacetime service who was discharged under conditions other than dishonorable. Service after September 7, 1980 for enlisted personnel and October 16, 1981 for commissioned officers, must be for a minimum of 24 consecutive months or the period for which ordered to be completed under special circumstances; for example, death on active duty, or any active duty during the Persian Gulf War qualifies for this benefit. In addition, members of the Reserve and the Army and Air National Guard who die while performing, or as a result of performing, active duty for training or are entitled to retirement pay subsequent to October 27, 1992; all persons, including Reservists and National Guard members having 20 years of qualifying service for the purpose of receiving retired pay or are eligible for retired pay, but are under 60 years of age; Commissioned officers of the Public Health Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Merchant Mariners and certain other categories of individuals who participated in wartime activities whose service has been classified as active duty by the Secretary of the Air Force in accordance with Public Law 95-202 may also be eligible. Spouses and certain other dependents of those eligible for a headstone or marker and buried in a national, State or military/post cemetery are also eligible.

Credentials/Documentation

Copy of the veteran's Report of Separation (DD 214) or equivalent, or other official military documents that detail the character of military service. In addition, for a memorial headstone or marker a statement attesting to the disposition of the remains is required.

Aplication and Award Process

Preapplication Coordination

If the headstone or marker is to be placed in a nonfederal cemetery, the approval of the cemetery operator must be secured.

This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.

12372.

Application Procedures

Applicant must complete VA Form 40-1330, Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker, in accordance with the General Information and instructions attached to the application and submit it to the Department of Veterans Affairs. Submission to the VA is preferred by toll free fax at 1-800-455-7143. It may also be mailed to: Director, Memorial Programs Service (41A1), Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. Detailed instructions for submitting the application can be referenced at the official website for the National Cemetery Administration at www.cem.va.gov. Applications are also available at this website, or they can be obtained at any VA Regional Office, State and County Veterans Service Office, and most funeral homes. Xerographic copies with original signatures of applicant, consignee and cemetery officials are acceptable. Letters requesting Presidential Memorial Certificates may be mailed to Memorial Programs Service (41A1C), Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. Requests for PMC's may also be made by telephone to (202) 565-4259.

Award Procedures

Not applicable.

Deadlines

None.

Authorization

National Cemeteries Act of 1973; 38 U.S.C. 2306, 2403 and 2404(a)(b)(c); Veterans' Disability Compensation and Survivors' Benefits Act of 1978, Section 303(b); Public Laws 93-43, 95-479, 95-476, 102-547, 107-103, and 107-330; 38 U.S.C. 313(a), 38 U.S.C. 112.

Range of Approval/Disapproval Time

Not applicable.

Appeals

Not applicable.

Renewals

Not applicable.

Assistance Considerations

Formula and Matching Requirements

Not applicable.

Length and Time Phasing of Assistance

Not applicable.

Post Assistance Requirements

Reports

Not applicable.

Audits

Not applicable.

Records

Not applicable.

Financial Information

Account Identification

36-0155-0-1-701 (Benefits);
36-0129-0-1-705 (Salaries and Expenses).

Obigations

(Benefits) FY 07 $41,846,000; FY 08 est $44,200,000; and FY 09 est $44,800,000. (Salaries and Expenses) FY 07 $5,228,000; FY 08 est $5,431,000; and FY 09 est $5,586,000.

Range and Average of Financial Assistance

Not applicable.

Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature

"Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker" (VA Form 40-1330), contains instructions for completing the form, and illustrations of the different types and styles of headstones, markers, and niche covers available. It is available at Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Offices at no charge. Presidential Memorial Certificates may be requested through Department of Veterans Affairs Regional Offices and national cemeteries.

Information Contacts

Regional or Local Office

Memorial Programs Service (MPS) Processing Sites: MPS Processing Sites are located at: Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery, 395 Biddle Boulevard, Ft. Leavenworth, KS 66027-2307. Toll free telephone: (1-888) 460-9709, Fax: (913) 758-1839. Nashville Processing Site, 220 Athens Way, Suite 102, Nashville, TN 37228-1346. Toll free telephone: (1-888) 367-1330, Fax: (615) 736-2026. Lebanon VA Medical Center, 1700 South Lincoln Avenue, Building #27, Lebanon, PA 17042. Toll free telephone: (1-888) 574-9107, Fax: (717) 270-9428.

Headquarters Office

Director, Memorial Programs Service (41A1), National Cemetery Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs, 5109 Russell Road, Quantico, VA 22134-3903. Contact: Lindee L. Lenox. Telephone (202) 501-3100. Program Support Unit; issues relating to headstone and marker: Contractor's telephone number: (202) 501-3027. Applicant Assistance; shipment tracer information; problems with shipments arriving C.O.D.; eligibility matters; inscription matters; and, problems relating to quality of headstones and markers telephone: (1-800) 697-6947. For questions concerning Presidential Memorial Certificates telephone: (202) 565-4259.

Criteria for Selecting Proposals

Not applicable.