Congresswoman Claudia Tenney Introduces Bill to Expand Burial Benefits for America’s Veterans

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-22) today introduced legislation to expand access to headstones and burial plaques for US military veterans who passed away on or after December 30, 1960. Under current law, any veteran who passed away on or after November 1, 1990, is eligible for a headstone or burial plaque through the Department of Veterans Affairs. However, anyone who served prior to that date is only eligible to receive a small medallion to commemorate their life and service to this country. Tenney’s bill would amend current law to expand burial benefits for American veterans who died prior to November 1990. 

Earlier this year, Tenney’s office was contacted by the families of Thomas R. McNamara, a WWII veteran and Purple Heart Medal recipient who passed in 1974, and PFC Stanley Czerski, a US Army veteran of WWII who earned the Bronze Star with "V" device and Purple Heart Medal who passed in 1965. The relatives of these local veterans were told their hometown heroes were not eligible to receive headstones or plaques because they had passed away prior to the November 1, 1990, eligibility date. 

“I was disheartened to learn that the VA has been denying veterans proper recognition at their final resting places because they passed away before an arbitrary deadline. This just is not right, which is why my legislation will expand headstone and burial plaque eligibility for veterans who passed on or after December 30, 1960,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “Our Nation must honor those who so bravely answered the call to serve. This bill is a small yet important step we can take to ensure veterans who have been laid to rest receive the posthumous honor and recognition they have earned.”

"My brother and I appreciate the due diligence of Congresswoman Claudia Tenney and her office for moving this important legislation for all deceased military personnel," said the sons of Mr. McNamara, Thomas and Robert McNamara. 

"Recognizing all those individuals who served with honor without exception.  Making people aware of the sacrifice they made during their enlistment and the pain they endured after.  No one wants to go to war.  Because they put themselves in the line of danger, fighting a war doing heroic acts.  They should be celebrated, not forgotten," said the son of PFC Czerski, James Czerski.

Full text of Tenney’s bill can be found here. 

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