Denied Veterans Burial Privileges My letter to the Commissioner of Virginia Department of Veterans Services I respectfully request that this email be shared with Mr., Paul Galanti, Commissioner. I am writing regarding my Brother, Wayne Denver Goff who passed away on Thursday, March 27, 2014 at age 70 in the Autumn Care Nursing Facility in Norfolk, VA. He resided with us at our home in Chesapeake, VA for two years while receiving treatments for numerous Cancers that began as Liver Cancer. I am a Veteran, Sgt, USMC 1955 – 1958. Wayne was a 7 year veteran of the USMC-R His service dates were 1966 – 1972, His service number is 2304967 He received Basic Recruit Training at Paris Island, SC from 10/31/1966 to 12/31/1946. (60 Days Active Duty). He received Combat Infantry Training with the Fleet Marine Force at Camp Geiger, NC from 01/01/1967 to 04/30/1967 (120 Days Active Duty) His total continuous Active Duty time was 180 Days. The remainder of his Reserve Active Duty, was comprised of 2 week periods of training at USMC Camp Lejeune, NC. My wife and I visited the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA on Friday March 28, 2014 to arrange to have my Veteran Brother buried there. I provided Leslie Staley, Administration Coordinator, my Brother’s DD214. We also spoke with another Lady, but did not write her name in our notes. After reviewing his DD-214, they said that due to a regulation they were familiar with and other similar situation like his, he is not eligible/qualified to be buried at any Veterans cemetery. They based their decision because his DD-214 stated, “Released From Initial Tour Of Active Duty For Training.” I maintain that His initial period of Continuous Active Duty was 180 Day Cumulative. I cite the following from the Federal Benefits For Veterans Dependents and Survivors, VA Pamphlet 80-13-01 P94663 “Chapter 8, Burial and Memorial Benefits Page 78” :Veterans discharged from active duty under conditions other than dishonorable; Service members who die while on active duty, active duty for training, or inactive duty training; and spouses and dependent children of Veterans and active duty service members, may be eligible for VA burial and memorial benefits....With certain exceptions, active duty service beginning after September 7, 1980, as an enlisted person, and after October 16, 1981, as an officer, must be for a minimum of 24 consecutive months, or the full period of active duty (as in the case of reservists or National Guard members called to active duty for a limited duration. Active Duty Training, by itself, while serving in the reserves or National Guard, is not sufficient to confer eligibility.” My Comments. the limitation on Enlisted Veterans is applicable after September 7, 1980. My Brothers service was from 1966 to 1972. Based upon this, I submit that he is entitled to burial in a Veterans Cemetery. My Brother and I were both exposed to Toxic Materials and Contaminated water while we both were stationed at Camp Lejeune. I filed claims with the VA for service connected disabilities and both claims were denied by the VA. I respectfully request, that after your review of our request, that you will approve my Brothers request for Burial in the Albert G. Horton Jr. Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Suffolk, VA. Since our initial request was denied, we have had to make arrangements with a Funeral Home and Cemetery in Newport News, VA. The burial will be this Saturday April 5, 2014. Thus far we have incurred the following expenses to bury him in a private cemetery that we would not had to pay if he was buried in a Veterans Cemetery; Funeral Home Service Costs $6,532.90 Officiating Clergy $200.00 Cemetery Plot $3,500.00 Cemetery Opening/Closing Grave $1,795.00 Bronze Marker $2,400.00 ________ Total Thus Far $14,427.90 We thank you for any consideration that you can provide us and we look forward to your response. Respectfully, Ray and Ginny Goff 1212 Club Point Road Chesapeake, VA 23322 757-819-6968
Posted on: Wed, 02 Apr 2014 15:41:39 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015