VA adds
nearly 2 million records to online gravesite locator
WASHINGTON (December 22, 2005) - The burial locations of
more than 5 million veterans for whom the Department of
Veterans Affairs (VA) has provided grave markers are now
available on the Internet, as well as the information
inscribed on the markers.
Online since April 2004, the nationwide gravesite locator
http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov
helps veterans' families, former comrades-in-arms and others
find the graves of veterans.
VA recently added 1.9 million records for veterans buried
primarily in private cemeteries to its database. The
gravesite locator previously carried records on 3 million
veterans buried in VA national cemeteries since the Civil
War, and in state veterans cemeteries and Arlington National
Cemetery since 1999.
"The expansion of this innovative program continues VA's
commitment to using Internet technology to fulfill the
important mission of memorializing our nation's veterans,"
said the Honorable R. James Nicholson, Secretary of Veterans
Affairs. "By adding records to our online database, VA also
helps families research their genealogy and ensures that
future generations of Americans will be able to honor these
veterans for their service."
The new records date from January 1997, the earliest time
for which
electronic records exist. The information comes from
applications made for these veterans' headstones or
markers. Beyond the 5 million records now available, VA
continues to add approximately 1,000 new records to the
database each day.
Last year, VA furnished nearly 369,000 inscribed headstones
and markers for veterans' graves worldwide.
Internet users only need to provide the last name of the
deceased
veteran or dependent. Typically, the information available
includes
name, birth and death dates, rank, branch of service and the
address and phone number of the cemetery.
Veterans whose discharges are other than dishonorable, their
spouses and dependent children may be buried in a national
cemetery, regardless of where they live. No advance
reservations are made. VA provides perpetual care, as well
as a headstone or marker, a burial flag and a memorial
certificate to survivors.
Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from
national cemeteryoffices, from a VA Web site at
www.cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000