Noteboom The Law Firm

Continued Issues at Houston National Cemetery With Veteran Funerals

Earlier this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Houston National Cemetery were sued (Rainey v. VA) for interfering with funerals and ceremonies by restricting the use of the word "God." Since that suit was filed, there have been further complaints cemetery officials are continuing to limit and restrict speech within the cemetery.

Last week, a second amended complaint was filed against both the VA and the cemetery, in which new plaintiffs were added to the already existing case. Given the reported ongoing restrictions by the cemetery staff, this case will undoubtedly continue to be watched by veterans.

The new plaintiffs are both widows claiming the VA's restrictions on religious speech "interrupted and impacted" their husbands' military funerals at the Houston National Cemetery. One widow is claiming she had to move her husband's funeral service into a private channel so the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) ritual could be included in the service. The VFW ritual has been in practice for about 100 years, and includes prayers and speeches given by the Commander and Chaplain. The Houston National Cemetery, however, has restricted this practice according to the complaint.

Being a 30-year military veteran, her husband was being buried with full military honors. Because the service had to be moved to the private chapel, however, nobody attending the funeral was able to witness the Honor Guard performing their rifle salute or playing Taps. Although they could be heard at the chapel, they could not be seen.

There are also claims a VA official "lied to the VFW Honor Guard" about the family wanting an abbreviated VFW ritual. The local Commander of the VFW post, however, was able to intervene so the full VFW ritual could be performed.

If you are a disabled veteran who has been denied disability compensation or have not yet applied for benefits from the VA, a South Florida disability attorney from LaVan & Neidenberg is ready to help. To learn if you are entitled to certain programs and benefits contact our veterans disability rights firm today - 1-888-234-5758.