KENNETH (KENNY) MURRAY, CHAIRMAN
3332 Winlock Road
Torrance, CA 90505
(310) 539-5472 -- FAX (310) 784-0257

     The National Cemetery Administration is responsible for 115 National Cemeteries in 39 states (and Puerto Rico) as well as 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites. NCA currently maintains more than 2.2 million gravesites at 115 National Cemeteries in 39 States (and Puerto Rico) as well as 34 soldier's lots and monument sites.

     Of the more than 73,000 internments conducted in Fiscal Year (FY) 1997, 76 percent were in our 20 busiest national cemeteries: Riverside, CA.; Fort Rosecrans, CA.; and San Joaquin Valley, California.

     As of September 30, 1997, five National Cemeteries each contained more than 100,000 occupied gravesites, collectively accounting for 31.4 percent of all NCA gravesites maintained.

     Veteran's Statistics: Veterans' deaths are expected to peak at 620,000 in 2008. It is estimated that more than 540,000 veterans died in 1997.

     Burial benefits in VA national cemetery include the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, and perpetual care. Many national cemeteries have columbaria or special gravesites for cremated remains. Headstones and markers and there placement are provided at the government's expense.

     Veterans, service members and dependents are eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Spouses and minor children of eligible veterans may also be buried in a national cemetery. Gravesites in national cemeteries cannot be reserved. Funeral directors or others making arrangements must apply at the time of death.

     The National Cemetery System normally does not conduct burials on weekends. A weekend caller however, will be directed to one of the three (3) strategically located VA cemetery offices that remain open during weekends to schedule burials at the cemetery of the caller's choice the following week.

     VA provides headstones and markers for the unmarked graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents buried in National, State Veteran or Military Post Cemeteries. Headstones and markers are inscribed with the name of the deceased, the years of birth and death, and branch of service.

     VA will pay a burial allowance up to $1,500 if the veteran's death is service connected. The VA will pay a $150 plot allowance when a veteran is not buried in a cemetery that is under U.S. Government jurisdiction; if the veteran is discharged from active duty because of disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, if the veteran was in receipt of compensation or pension but for receipt of military retire pay, or the veteran died while hospitalized by VA.

     The State of California is still in need of more National Cemeteries. L.A. needs to be expanded. It is only open for cremations. Orange County does not have a National Cemetery.

     Comrades, we need to work on our Legislators to ensure that all of our Veterans will have a place of Honor for eternal rest, not only in California but also in all states.