Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) recently announced that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has made available a new medallion, which is to be affixed to an existing privately purchased headstone or marker to signify a deceased person’s status as a veteran. 

“As Veterans Day approaches, I am pleased to announce that a new medallion has been made available to adorn the resting places of our deceased service members,” said Senator Larkin. “This new medallion is a truly respectful and beautiful way to honor and recognize the deceased men and women who have served in the United States Armed Forces.”

The new bronze medallion depicts a folded flag surrounded by a laurel wreath and is inscribed with the word VETERAN across the top and the deceased veteran’s Branch of Service at the bottom.  This medallion is currently available in three sizes, 5 inches, 3 inches, and 1 ½ inches, and is designed to fit on various-sized headstones, grave markers, and niche covers.

Family members of a deceased eligible veteran will now have the option of either a government-furnished headstone, marker, bronze niche, or the new medallion. Eligible veterans are entitled to either a traditional government-furnished headstone or marker, or the new medallion, but not both. 

More information on the new veteran medallion burial benefit can be found on the National Cemetery Administration Web site at www.cem.va.gov/hm_hm.asp.