United States Department Of Veterans Affairs Emblems For Headstones And Markers
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, 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. However, the Wiccan Pentacle was only added (in 2007) after a lawsuit by Americans United for the Separation of Church and State.
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.
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Spanish American War veteran in Cypress Hills National Cemetery
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Medal of Honor recipient Anton Olsen in Cypress Hills National Cemetery
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Gravesites at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006
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Flags flying at Fort Logan National Cemetery during Memorial Day 2006
Read more about United States Department Of Veterans Affairs Emblems For Headstones And Markers: Headstone and Marker Symbols
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