United States Department of Veterans Affairs emblems for headstones and markers

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
U.S. Veterans Affairs

The United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) maintains many cemeteries specifically devoted to veterans. Most have various rules regarding what must take place in order to be interred there.

The VA only permits graphics on Government-furnished headstones or markers that are approved emblems of belief, the Civil War Union Shield (including those who served in the U.S. military through the Spanish American War), the Civil War Confederate Southern Cross of Honor, and the Medal of Honor insignia. Arlington National Cemetery has similar restrictions on headstones, though it is maintained by US Department of the Army.

Generally the VA adds a new symbol a few months after receiving a petition from a faith group.[1] However, the Wiccan Pentacle was only added (in 2007) after a lawsuit by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.[1]

The first "interfaith" headstone, which includes a Wiccan Pentacle for Jan Deanna O'Rourke and a Presbyterian Cross for her husband, was installed at Arlington National Cemetery on May 1, 2007, and dedicated on July 4, 2007.[2]

Headstone and marker symbols [edit]

The following emblems and emblem numbers are publicized as available for Government headstones and markers as of May 2013.[3] A process is in place to consider approving additional religious or belief system emblems requested by the families of individuals eligible for these headstones and markers.[3]

References [edit]

  1. ^ a b NY Times Advertisement
  2. ^ www.witchvox.com, retrieved June 17, 2011.
  3. ^ a b Available Emblems of Belief for Placement on Government Headstones and Markers - Burial & Memorials

See also [edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Approved gravestone emblems of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=United_States_Department_of_Veterans_Affairs_emblems_for_headstones_and_markers&oldid=554489436"