FOR RELEASE: February 19, 2002

EVANS’ GOAL: END INDIGENT VETERANS PAUPER’S BURIAL
VA Responds To Illinois Lawmaker Prod

Washington, DC – Congressman Lane Evans (D-IL) today said every veteran should receive a proper burial and the Department of Veterans Affairs must take action to end the unceremonious burials of unclaimed indigent veterans in pauper’s graves.  “Indigent veterans have served our nation in uniform and many have been decorated for their military service,” Evans said.  “Our nation owes these veterans a proper burial.  It is a small price to pay for their service and their sacrifice to preserve our freedom.  The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must work with coroners and community medical examiners throughout the nation to determine if a deceased individual is also a veteran deserving an appropriate burial.” 

Evans has led the effort to resolve a problem first brought to light by WBBM Chicago News Radio reporter, Steve Miller.  A review by Miller of six pauper’s burials in Cook County, IL, revealed that two or three were veterans and deserved more than a pauper’s burial.  Evans has directed the VA Office of the Inspector General to review the Chicago incident and his Congressional staff to examine indigent veteran burials nationally.  Evans has already taken action to improve needed two-way communications between community officials and VA.  At Evans’ urging, the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) has adopted a new policy to provide a greater vigil regarding unclaimed deceased veterans and the VA has redoubled its outreach efforts.   

Evans, however, believes that more must be done.  “A change in policy is a good start, but we need to be certain the new policy is actually being used.  We need to know how well the program to screen for veteran status is working.” 

The Illinois Congressman has called on VA to establish “metrics” to measure the current and future success of the program.  Evans has also asked VA to recommend a course of action for dealing with existing cases of errant unceremonious veteran interment.  VA has established a working group and promised to provide final recommendations by May 1, 2002.

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