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 cemetery
offices, from a VA Web site at http://www.cem.va.gov/ or by
calling VA regional offices toll-free at 1-800-827-1000.