Burial and Memorial Benefits - American Legion 2

  Helpful Links offers links to programs and assistance from the VA as well as independent sites. To ensure that our veterans and their families are given legitimate information we make every effort to thoroughly research all links before placing them on our website.

  The American Legion Post #40 has no commitment to or association with these websites.

  Please use caution when using these links. When interacting with any website, read their posted privacy statements as you will be subject to their privacy policies.

 While we support the protection of privacy on the internet, the American Legion Post #40 is not responsible for actions between you and the actions of third parties.

  Should you have any problems with any links, please notify webmaster@lanesboroamericanlegion.org

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

   Provide comfort and hope 24/7 through a national, peer support network and connection to grief resources, all at no cost to surviving families, casualty officers and caregivers grieving the loss of a loved one who died while serving in our Armed Forces or as a result of his or her service.

   If you are grieving the loss of a fallen service member, or if you know someone who can use our support, the TAPS 24/7 National Military Survivor Helpline is always available toll-free with loving support and resources at 800-959-TAPS (8277).  https://www.taps.org/

AMERICAN FLAG

A flag to drape the casket or folded flag presented to the veteran's family

• Honorably discharged veterans of any war or of service after 1/31/1955 who served at least one enlistment or were discharged or released from active duty for a disability incurred in the line of duty.

• Former members of the Selected Reserve that have completed at least one enlistment or were discharged or released for a disability incurred in the line of duty.

PRESIDENTIAL MEMORIAL CERTIFICATES

• Program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents.

• Certificated bear the current President's signature expressing the country's grateful recognition of the veteran's service in the United States Armed Forces.

• Eligible recipients include the next of kin and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased veterans.

BURIAL AND PLOT ELIGIBILITY AND ALLOWANCE

• Veteran must have been in receipt of or entitled to receive VA Disability Compensation and/or Pension

• Veteran must have died in a VA medical center or while hospitalized under VA contract

TRANSPORTATION COSTS MAY BE PAID IF:

• Death is non-service connected and vet is to be transported for burial in nearest National Cemetery.

• Dies while hospitalized by VA or at VA expense or in an approved state nursing home.

• Pays for transport of remains from place of death to place of burial.

SERVICE CONNECTED DEATH:

• $2,000 reimbursement toward total burial costs including transportation.

NON-SERVICE RELATED DEATH:

• For deaths on or after October 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death), and a $700.00 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery).

HEADSTONES AND MARKERS

• Any deceased veteran discharged from the U.S. Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable are eligible for a government headstone or marker.

• Service after September 7, 1980 must be for a minimum of 24 consecutive months or be completed under special circumstances (e.g., death on active duty).

• Persons who have only limited active duty service for training while in the National Guard or Reserves are not eligible unless there are special circumstances (e.g., death while on duty or as a result of training).

• Persons with 20 years of service in the National Guard or Reserves who are entitled to retired pay are also eligible for a government headstone or marker.  A copy of the Reserve Retirement Eligibility Benefits Letter (commonly called the "Twenty-Year Letter") must accompany the application.

• Active duty service (other than active duty for training) while in the National Guard or Reserves also establish eligibility.

*Headstones & Markers Styles and types available depend the cemetery where the veteran is to be buried.

VETERAN NATIONAL CEMETERY BURIAL ELIGIBILITY

• Any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who dies on active duty.

• Veterans who meet applicable duty requirements and who were discharged under honorable conditions.  With certain exceptions, service beginning after September 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and service after October 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum of 24 continuous months or the full period for which the person was called to active duty (as in the case of a Reservist called to active duty for a limited duration)

• Reservists and National Guard members who, at time of death, were entitled to retired pay under Chapter 1223, title 10, United States Code, or would have been entitled, but for being under the age of 60.

• The spouse or surviving spouse of an eligible veteran is eligible for interment in a national cemetery even if that veteran is not buried or memorialized in a national cemetery.  In addition, the spouse or surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States whose remains are unavailable for burial is also eligible for burial.

   SE MN VETERANS CEMETERY - PRESTON, MN

715 Highway 52, Preston, MN 55965

Phone: (507) 765-7320    Fax: (507) 765-3793

   The Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery in Preston is the second State Veterans Cemetery, after Little Falls.  The first Veterans were laid to rest in Preston’s newly-opened State Veterans cemetery on Veterans Day, November 11, 2015.

   The cemetery office is open from 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday – Friday (closed on State Holidays).  Visitors may visit the cemetery grounds during daylight hours, seven days per week.

Email: Info.CemPR@state.mn.us

For detailed information go to Minnesota Department of Veteran Affairs Memorials and Burials

HELPFUL VA LINKS

    When interacting with any website, we encourage you to read the posted privacy statement as you will be subject to the their privacy policies.  While we support the protection of privacy on the Internet, the American Legion, American Legion Auxiliary, and Sons of the American Legion Post 40 cannot be responsible for the actions of third parties.

Fillmore County Veteran Services Officer  http://www.co.fillmore.mn.us/veteransdefault.htm

US Department of Veteran Affairs  https://www.cem.va.gov/burial_benefits/

National Veterans Cemetery Administation  http://www.cem.va.gov/

Minnesota State Veterans Cemetery - Preston  https://mn.gov/mdva/memorials/stateveteranscemeteries/minnesota-state-veterans-cemetery-preston.jsp

Locate a military cemetery  http://www.va.gov/directory/guide/division_flsh.asp?dnum=4

Elderly Veterans Assistance

    The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) will provide benefits and services that address a variety of issues from the changing health risks, as well as financial challenges through VA benefits and health services for veterans age 65 or older.  These Veterans served in conflicts around the world including World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and even in the Persian Gulf War.  VA benefits including disability compensation, pension, education and training, health care, home loans, insurance, vocational rehabilitation and employment, and burial.  http://www.benefits.va.gov/persona/veteran-elderly.asp

FREE URNS FOR VETERANS

Made for Veterans by Veterans

NO COST (monetary) for Military Veterans to receive a FREE urn.  Each urn is professionally handmade using quality oak wood and is personalized with a Military Service Seal and a name plate listing the Veteran’s name, rank, and life dates.

    At the time of need, Veteran’s family can contact ‘Free Urns for Veterans’.  The Veteran’s family will need to provide the following:

DONATIONS:

   Free Urns for Veterans is a Nonprofit, 501 © (3).  These FREE urns are only made possible by generous donations.  The average cost for materials to make and ship an urn would be $50.  There is no labor cost, all urns are made by volunteers who have donated their time.

   To make a tax free donations to Free Urns for Veterans, please click here http://www.freeurnsforveterans.org/donations.html

   For more information on eligibility requirements or donations, contact Dan Scott at 651-274-9844 or free.urns@gmail.com

Free Urns for Veterans

13241 Blackfoot Street NW

Andover, MN 55304

SOLID OAK FLAG CASE

Made for Veterans by Veterans

    Display, protect and preserve your Memorial United States Flag in a beautifully handcrafted solid oak flag case with a glass front, removable back and engraved plate with veteran's name and branch of service.

Minnesota Veterans Home

1200 E. 18th Street, Hastings, MN 55033

Phone:  651-539,2486

BELL OF HONOR

The Bell of Honor is not associated with the Veterans Services Office but is available to all that ave lost a hero!

   Based in Rochester, Minnesota, The Bell of Honor is available, upon the family's invitation to be present at the final resting place, at funerals, memorials or during special occasions worthy of the honor.  The primary mission is to show the utmost respect and honor to the individual and their family.  The bell is tolled as a sign of respect and honor for Fallen Hero's who have given their all.  Active Military, Veteran's, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters and EMS who have made the ultimate sacrifice so the rest can exist in peace and safety.  An unbelievable experience!  For details and to make arrangements, go to http://www.thebellofhonor.org

GRAVESITE LOCATORS

National Cemetery Administration

    Search for burial locations of veterans and their family members in VA National Cemeteries, State Veteran Cemeteries, various other military and Department of Interior cemeteries, and for veterans buried in private cemeteries when the grave is marked with a government grave marker.  Includes burial records from many sources.  These sources provide varied data; some searches may contain less information than others.  Information on veterans buried in private cemeteries were collected for the purpose of furnishing government grave markers.  Information is not available for burials prior to 1997.  http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/index.html

Virtual Vietnam Wall

    For those who remember the Vietnam War or perhaps lost friends or family, look them up on the Virtual Vietnam Wall site to help remember the sacrifices of the fallen and their families.  The site provides the names, bio's and other information on our lost heros.  Search by last name, state and city, unit, view photos, and much more.  http://www.virtualwall.org/

Together We Served - Honor Roll of Fallen Comrades

    Two hundred volunteers have created the largest online site providing profiles of men and women who died in the line of duty.  The site allows you and loved ones to connect with those who served our country.   http://togetherweserved.com/

Find A Grave

   Find a Grave's mission is to help people from all over the world work together to find, record and present final disposition information as a virtual cemetery experience.  The site provides tools that let people from all over the world work together, share information and build an online, virtual cemetery experience.  You find details about cemeteries and individual memorials for many people buried in those cemeteries. Memorials generally include birth, death and burial information and may include pictures, biographies, family information and more. Thousands of contributors submit new listings, updates, corrections, photographs and virtual flowers every hour.  https://www.findagrave.com/

 Have questions or comments?  We welcome your opinion.  Please email your comments or suggestions to webmaster@lanesboroamericanlegion.org or call Anne at 507-460-9040. Thank you for your support.