Subsequent 12 months, former members of the Arizona Nationwide Guard and navy reservists may be laid to relaxation at three cemeteries for veterans managed by the Arizona Division of Veterans’ Companies, officers mentioned.
After a change in federal and state legislation, former members of the Guard and Reserve may be interred starting Jan. 1, 2024.
ADVS operates three cemeteries in Arizona: the Southern Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Marana, and Arizona
Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery at Camp Navajo, west of Flagstaff.
“Honoring all of our service members and their households equally from each department and element of the navy is key to our dedication to make sure there are not any obstacles to the advantages and companies they’ve earned,” mentioned Dana Allmond, the pinnacle of ADVS.
The company mentioned the change got here because of the Burial Fairness for Guards and Reserves Act signed by President Joe Biden final 12 months, and the passage of a state legislation in July, permitting for all Nationwide Guard and Reserve members to be interred at ADVS Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemeteries.
“This enhanced state burial profit bridges the gaps for Reserve and Nationwide Guard members for burial,” mentioned Joe Larson, the administrator for the cemetery in Sierra Vista. “We at the moment are capable of present burial companies and memorialization to those that in any other case wouldn’t have certified for this profit underneath the Nationwide Cemetery Administration tips.”
ADVS mentioned the change will enable for extra burials on the three websites, nonetheless, they added the profit will solely cowl the precise gravesite and interment. The change doesn’t embrace the free burial flag, or grave marker. The three services will add charges to cowl the prices, nonetheless, the company mentioned the associated fee is “beneath trade requirements for burials in non-public cemeteries.”
“The households can relaxation assured that the ultimate resting place of their beloved one can be maintained in perpetuity as a nationwide shrine,” Larson mentioned.
Households excited about internment at Arizona Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery can apply on the company’s web site at https://dvs.az.gov/companies/cemeteries. Cemetery employees on the three websites will maintain purposes till January 1, and can contact households to make burial preparations for subsequent 12 months.