Ayotte, Begich Introduce Legislation to Restore Abandonded Veterans Cemetery in Phillipines

Press Release

U.S. Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Mark Begich (D-AK) recently introduced legislation aimed at restoring the Clark Veterans Cemetery, which is the final resting place in the Philippines for more than 8,300 United States service members and their dependents. The "Remembering America's Forgotten Veterans Cemetery Act" would require the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to restore, operate, and maintain Clark Veterans Cemetery to honor the courageous Americans buried there.

From 1900 until 1991, the Clark Veterans Cemetery, formerly known as Fort Stotsenburg Cemetery, was maintained by the U.S. government, but following a volcanic eruption in 1991, Clark Air Force Base was abandoned leaving the cemetery covered by volcanic ash and plant life. Since 1994, volunteers have attempted to maintain the cemetery without assistance from the U.S. government.

"The U.S. government has a moral responsibility to care for veterans cemeteries that honor those who have bravely served our country," said Senator Ayotte. "The American veterans buried in Clark Veterans Cemetery deserve a dignified and well-maintained final resting place, and it's time for the U.S. government to fulfill its responsibility to care for this sacred ground."

"America's veterans deserve dignity and honor no matter where they are buried," Senator Begich said. "It is our duty to recognize their service by making sure this cemetery is maintained appropriately, and this final resting place of thousands of service members should not be left in disrepair."

The American Battle Monuments Commission is an independent agency of the U.S. government charged with managing overseas cemeteries and monuments. Because Clark Veterans Cemetery is a permanent American cemetery in a foreign country, ABMC is the appropriate federal agency to oversee the cemetery's management and maintenance. In addition to cemeteries and monuments in Europe, the ABMC also maintains Mexico City National Cemetery in Mexico and Corozal American Cemetery in Panama, both of which are similar to the Clark Veterans Cemetery.

The Military Officers Association of America has endorsed the Ayotte-Begich legislation.

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