1 I greatly appreciate the opportunity to join you today and share a bit about NCA. My name is _______________________. I have come prepared to provide an overview about our administration. Also, please do not hesitate to stop me with questions which may come up at anytime.

Agenda National Cemetery Administration (NCA) - Overview Burial Benefits and Eligibility Pikes Peak National Cemetery

National Cemetery Administration (NCA) - Overview

History, Mission, and Vision The Omnibus bill of 1862, signed into law on July 17, authorized President Lincoln to purchase grounds for use as national cemeteries Fourteen national cemeteries were established in 1862 Previously soldiers were buried where they fell NCA Mission The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors Veterans and their families with final resting places in national shrines and lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation NCA Vision To be the model of excellence for burial and memorial benefits for our Nation’s Veterans and their families The National Cemetery Administration’s history dates back to the Civil War when in 1862 Congress authorized President Lincoln to purchase grounds for use as national cemeteries. Fourteen were established that year. Previously soldiers were buried where they fell. Today, the National Cemetery Administration manages 135 national cemeteries, one national Veterans’ burial ground, 33 soldiers’ lots and monument sites in 40 states and Puerto Rico; and the state and tribal Veterans cemetery program. Our mission--The National Cemetery Administration (NCA) honors Veterans and their families with final resting places in national shrines and lasting tributes that commemorate their service and sacrifice to our Nation. Our vision--To be the model of excellence for burial and memorial benefits for our Nation’s Veterans and their families.

National, State and Tribal Cemeteries These senior leaders manage 135 National Cemeteries within 5 District s (identified in the blue lines) and provides perpetual care provided for 4.5 million Veterans, service members, Reservists and family members in 3.6 million gravesites. We manage 9,138 developed acres. This map illustrates a key point– basically that we have a number of partners in providing interments to veterans and maintaining national cemeteries. In black are VA’s 135 national cemeteries, in green are 107 VA grant-funded state cemeteries. We also highlight on this map National Park Service (Gettysburg) and Department of the Army (Arlington) cemeteries. VA: 135 cemeteries; VA grant-funded cemeteries: 107; Army: 41 cemeteries (Arlington National Cemetery, Soldier’s Home, various post cemeteries); Interior: 14 cemeteries (Gettysburg National Cemetery, PA, Andersonville National Cemetery, GA (open) As of August 2017, NCA MMR, the last official reporting records 3,642,345 gravesites. 135 National Cemeteries within 5 Districts Perpetual care provided for 4.5 million Veterans, service members, and family members in over 3.6 million gravesites Manage 9,138 developed acres

Employees “Veterans Serving Veterans” 1,853 employees end of FY17 Over 90% of our employees work outside DC Almost 76% of NCA employees are Vets 33.16% are disabled Veterans Now a bit about us. The number of NCA employees fluctuates between 1800-1900 based on seasonable needs. One of the things we are most proud of at NCA is the huge percentage of Veterans in our workforce. Almost 76% (75.98%) of our employees are Veterans. That’s one of the highest percentages of any Federal agency. Also 33.16% of our employees are disabled Veterans. Finally, nine out of 10 employees work in the field, outside of DC, providing direct care and support to Veterans and their families. This data is a unique reflection of our workplace culture- the “Veteran serving Veterans” culture which is evident when you visit a national cemetery. Employees treating our customers like family.

Vaca Valley Garden Club, Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, CA Volunteers Guardians of the Cemetery, Washington Crossing National Cemetery, Newtown, PA Vaca Valley Garden Club, Sacramento Valley National Cemetery, CA Volunteers are an important component of NCA’s world-class customer service. From volunteer rifle squads presiding at Veteran’s funerals to Garden Clubs helping with beautification volunteers help us provide dignified burials for Veterans and their families. In FY17, volunteers donated over 465,000 hours. Volunteers donated 465,683 hours of service to national cemeteries in FY17

Benefits and Eligibility

Burial Benefits Use of a committal shelter Gravesite w/ grave liner Opening and closing of the grave Headstone or Marker Perpetual Care All veterans with qualifying discharges are offered the dignity of burial in a national cemetery. At no cost to the family, burial at a national cemetery includes use of a committal shelter for services, the gravesite, grave liner, opening and closing of the grave, a headstone or marker, and perpetual care within a national shrine.

Eligibility Criteria and Scheduling Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who dies on active duty Any Veteran who was discharged under qualifying conditions (other than dishonorable) National Guard members and Reservists with 20 years of qualifying service, who are entitled to retired pay Spouses, minor children and certain parents The National Cemetery Scheduling Office serves all national cemeteries, seven days a week, 362 days a year Any discussion about Veteran Burial Benefits starts with eligibility. Our National Scheduling Office in St. Louis supports all VA cemeteries, including providing bilingual representatives to support requests for interment at Puerto Rico National Cemetery. Establishing eligibility for burial in a national cemetery or other burial benefits begins when a Veteran, family member, next of kin or a funeral director contacts our National Cemetery Scheduling Office. The 800 number is on the slide. 1-800-535-1117. We now offer Pre-Need Eligibility for burial. I’ll address that a few slides down. This office is open seven days a week, 362 days a year—we don’t staff it on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day. What do we need to process the burial? Ideally a copy of the Veteran’s DD 214 discharge papers. If that document is not available, the National Scheduling Office can assist if they can get a full name and social security number. _____________________________________________________________________________________________ The slide indicates who is eligible.

Assists Veteran with funeral decisions in advance of need. Pre-Need Eligibility Launched December 8, 2016. Assists Veteran with funeral decisions in advance of need. Subject to a final eligibility verification at time of need. Does not guarantee burial in a specific cemetery or reserve a gravesite until time of need. If Veteran is not eligible during the Pre-Need determination, the Veteran will be entitled to VA Appeals Rights. Over 24,000 approval letters have been sent in FY17 On December 8, 2016, NCA launched Pre-Need Eligibility to assist Veterans with funeral decisions in advance of need. All determinations are subject to a final eligibility verification at time of need and does not guarantee burial in a specific cemetery or reserve a gravesite until time of need. If Veteran is not eligible during the Pre-Need determination, the Veteran will be entitled to VA Appeals Rights. Over 24,000 approval letters have been sent in FY17.

How It Works Submit VA Form 40-10007 with proof of military service (if available). Receive written notice of eligibility determination. Keep a copy. You have the right to file an appeal if the request is denied. VA will store the information. At time of need, application will be re-verified. Complete, sign and submit VA Form 40-10007 along with a copy of your military discharge or other supporting document, if available. VA will review the information and provide a written notice of the determination of eligibility for burial. If the applicant does not agree with our decision denying the pre-need request, they have the right to appeal the decision. The applicant has one year from the date of the pre-need decision letter to file a notice of disagreement. If the applicant does not file a notice of disagreement within one year, the decision will become final. The applicant can submit additional evidence to support a claim whether or not they choose to appeal the pre-need decision. Whether the applicant is eligible or ineligible, VA will save the pre-need application, supporting documentation, and the pre-need decision letter in a recallable system. * Please note – eligibility does not enable you to reserve a specific burial space.

Where To Send Your Application National Cemetery Scheduling Office Postal Mail: P.O. Box 510543 St. Louis, MO 63151 Fax: (855) 840-8299 Open 7 days a week, 362 days a year

National Cemetery (PPNC) Pikes Peak National Cemetery (PPNC)

PPNC Facts 374 Acres off Drennan Road ($4.5 M) $31M Construction Project Serves 95,000 Veterans and their families (VA Estimate) Based on the Master Plan will last 100+ years Master plan constructed in phases Burial Benefits and Eligibility Pikes Peak National Cemetery

PPNC Master Plan

Early Turn-Over [ETO]) Area

Phase I

PPNC Dedication Ceremony Friday, 25 May 2018 @ 1100 (MDT) Public Welcome @ Pikes Peak National Cemetery

1 Questions??