1. 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.

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

3. National Cemetery Administration (NCA) - Overview

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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 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.

7. 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

8. Benefits and Eligibility

9. 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.

10. 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 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.

11. 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.

12. How It Works
Submit VA Form 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 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.

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

14. National Cemetery (PPNC)
Pikes Peak
National Cemetery (PPNC)

15. 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

16. PPNC Master Plan

17. Early Turn-Over [ETO]) Area

18. Phase I

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

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Questions??