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STATEMENT
OF BRIAN
E. LAWRENCE ASSOCIATE NATIONAL LEGISLATIVE DIRECTOR OF THE DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS BEFORE THE COMMITTEE
ON VETERANS’ AFFAIRS
SUBCOMMITTEE ON BENEFITS UNITED STATES HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES DECEMBER 12, 2001 Mr. Chairman and Members of the
Subcommittee: I am pleased to submit the views of the
Disabled American Veterans (DAV) regarding H.R. 3423, which would
reform burial rules at Arlington National Cemetery. Recent tragic events have illustrated the
need to allow military reservists who meet all eligibility criteria,
except the age requirement, to receive burial at America’s most
cherished cemetery. Because he was not age sixty or more,
American hero Captain John Burlingame was nearly prevented from
receiving the well-deserved honor. Captain Burlingame was the pilot of
the hijacked plane that crashed into the Pentagon on September 11, and
a retired Navy Reserve fighter pilot. Clearly, the well-intended
purpose of the burial requirement does not outweigh the need to honor
such distinguished citizens. The DAV supports H.R. 3423 because it would
ensure that career reservists are eligible for the honor of burial at
Arlington, a benefit warranted by their service to our country,
regardless of their age. The bill also ensures that reserve members
who die while performing duty are eligible for burial at Arlington. Military reservists are essential to the
security of democracy. Reserve forces have had increased
responsibilities during recent campaigns and their mission is vital to
national defense. Their service and sacrifices must be honored,
especially those whose lives were lost in defense of our freedom.
Title 38, United States Code, entitles reservists, injured in the line
of duty, to receive benefits administered by the Department of
Veterans Affairs. Therefore, it is inconceivable that such veterans
would not also be entitled to burial at Arlington. DAV urges Congress to pass H.R. 3423 to end
the inequity toward military reservists, and bestow the honor and
respect warranted by their noble service to our country. On behalf of the more than one million members of the DAV, we thank you for the opportunity to present our views, and we thank the Subcommittee for its continuing support of our nation’s veterans. Back to Witness List |