Noteboom The Law Firm

New Bill Will Allow Some Parents of Fallen Soldiers Burial in Military Cemeteries

October 6, 2010 - Never underestimate the power of a mother's love and what that mother will do be near her child. Denise Anderson's only son was killed in Iraq in service to his country. Anderson's son was buried in Massachusetts National Cemetery. When Anderson applied to be buried alongside her son, she was denied. At the time, Anderson was both single and childless.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) declined her request claiming the law only extended burial privileges with fallen soldiers to:

• Veterans;
• Veterans' spouses; and
• Minor children.

Two years later, Anderson is at the precipice of victory. Anderson led the drive to have this bill passed, and Congress finally approved it a week ago. The Corey Shea Act was named for Anderson's child, who was killed in 2008 while serving in Iraq. The act will allow some parents who have lost their children during war to be buried alongside their children in national military cemeteries.

The VA National Cemetery Administration operates 131 cemeteries nationwide. The bill will provide certain biological and/or adoptive parents of soldiers and veterans burial privileges in any of these 131 cemeteries. The Army maintains Arlington National Cemetery, however, so burial privileges will not be extended to parents of soldiers buried in Arlington.

The Corey Shea Act provides burial privileges to parents if their deceased child-soldier:

• Had no minor children;
• Was killed in combat or in combat preparation; and
• The cemetery has room for the burial.

Anderson spent 2 years writing letters to members of Congress lobbying for the passage of the bill. Once the President signs the bill into law, Anderson will have the opportunity to be buried near her son when the time comes.