A WARM WELCOME TO VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Cortland Rural Cemetery is honored to be the final resting place of hundreds upon hundreds of American veterans. We take seriously our role in memorializing the lives and service of these brave men and women ~ representing all branches of the armed services and having served in all American wars and conflicts the Revolutionary War onward. And we offer the following information to veterans and their family members, for your convenience and information.
ABOUT US VETERANS AFFAIRS MARKERS & MONUMENTS
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs offers a range of benefits
relating to headstones, markers, and medallions for qualified veterans.
The excerpt below from the VA website provides a general summary of such
benefits, but interested parties are encouraged to visit the VA website
(click here) for the most current and complete information ~ and to download applicable application forms and instructions.
Please
also note that, while the VA may provide qualified veterans with free
headstones, markers, and medallions ~ private cemeteries (including the
CRC) do charge a nominal installation fee; please contact the cemetery
office to learn more about pricing.
Excerpt from US Dept of Veterans Affairs website:
The
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) furnishes upon request, at no
charge to the applicant, a Government headstone or marker for the
unmarked grave of any deceased eligible Veteran in any cemetery around
the world, regardless of their date of death.
For
eligible veterans that died on or after Nov. 1, 1990 and whose grave is
marked with a privately purchased headstone, VA may also furnish a
headstone or marker to supplement the graves or a Medallion to be
affixed to the privately purchased headstone.
Flat
markers in granite, marble, and bronze and upright headstones in
granite and marble are available. Bronze niche markers are also
available to mark columbaria used for inurnment of cremated remains. The
style chosen must be permitted by the officials in charge of the
private cemetery where it will be placed.
When burial
or memorialization is in a national cemetery, state veterans' cemetery,
or military post/base cemetery, a headstone or marker will be ordered
by the cemetery officials based on inscription information provided by
the next of kin or authorized representative.
Spouses
and dependents are not eligible for a Government-furnished headstone or
marker unless they are buried in a national cemetery, state veteran's
cemetery, or military post/base cemetery.
Note: There is no
charge for the headstone or marker itself, however arrangements for
placing it in a private cemetery are the applicant's responsibility and
all setting fees are at private expense.
FLAGS FOR MEMORIAL DAY & VETERANS DAY
The Cortland Rural Cemetery allows and, indeed, encourages the
placement of American flags on veterans' graves for Memorial Day and
Veterans Day. While limited financial and manpower prevent us from being
able to erect flags, we do offer the following comments in support of
this important tradition:
- A limited supply of flags will be available at the cemetery office for any individuals who wish to mark a veteran's grave.
- Any individuals or groups of volunteers (including veterans groups, schools, scouts, etc.) who are interested in marking multiple veterans' graves with flags are encouraged to contact the CRC for flags and tips on locating veterans graves. (Each year, our volunteer board members donate their time to mark as many as they can ~ and will welcome the help!)
- The cemetery must, of course, reserve the right to collect flags in the weeks following the aforementioned holidays. Any flags that can be re-used the following year, will be added to our collection.
- Donations of small, wooden-dowel flags are greatly appreciated and will be put to good use, as our supply of flags does deteriorate over time.