1. Veteran Burial Benefits

2. Why I’m here Of the more than 72,000 Veterans living in Alaska …only.2 percent will be buried in a National Cemetery.

3. Who is eligible? All members of the Armed Forces who served at least one day on active duty before 1980 or after 1980, served a minimum of two years on active duty or the entire period called to duty and discharged under other than dishonorable circumstances. Guard/Reserve members on orders or retirement eligible Spouse, remarried after widowed OK, but not divorced. Not in AK: Common Law or Same Sex Minor children up to 21 yrs, 23 if still in school or deemed mentally/physically incapacitated before those ages Parents of certain deceased active duty

4. “At the time of need.” No reservations DD-214, Report of Casualty or personal information (name, SSAN, Svc #, DOB, etc.) Funeral director or next of kin contact National Cemetery Scheduling Office. (Have eligibility documentation ready; if none, Scheduling Office staff will assist with verification process.

5. The Benefit Gravesite Opening and closing Headstone Presidential Memorial Certificate U.S. Burial Flag Perpetual care

6. Military Honors Responsibility of Department of Defense Requested by funeral director or next-of-kin Public Law 106-65 requires two uniformed military persons to fold and present the flag and a sound quality rendering of TAPS for a military funeral honors ceremony upon family’s request.

7. Funeral home and funeral director fees and costs are the responsibility of the family.

8. Fort Richardson National Cemetery 10 miles north of Anchorage Opened in 1942 39 acres Over 225 services a year Burials – Both casketed and in-ground cremation available. NO WALL. Capacity – Life expectancy until 2050 Medal of Honor recipients – 1 Iraq/Afghanistan casualties – 15 Staff – 2 Open - 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m./Visiting: 8-5, M-F & 7-7 Weekends & Holidays

9. Sitka National Cemetery On the island of Sitka, ½ mile east of the center of town. Designated a national cemetery in 1924, but first burial in 1867 4.6 acres Approximately 25 services a year Burials – Both casketed, in-ground cremation & columbarium available Capacity – life expectancy through 2040 Medal of Honor recipients – 1 Iraq/Afghanistan casualties – 0 Staff – None on site. Contracted, but VA staff manage administration from Fort Richardson National Cemetery Open - 8 a.m.- 4:30 p.m./Visiting: 8-5, M-F & 7-7 Weekends & Holidays

10. Contact Information Burial & Plot Allowances – 800-827-1000 Copies of Discharge Documents – National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records Office www.archives.govwww.archives.gov 1 Archives Drive St. Louis, MO 63138 Scheduling Committal Services – National Cemetery Scheduling Office 800-535-1117 (p) 866-900-6417 (f) Other questions – www.cem.va.gov

11. “What can we do right now?” Families are encouraged to prepare in advance by discussing cemetery options and setting aside copies of discharge documents.