Rep. Tulsi Gabbard Pleased Veterans Will Be Informed on Burial Sites at Punchbowl National Cemetery

Press Release

Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard (HI-02) today commented on the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) prompt response to her calls for transparency and their announcement that it would disclose available burial sites to veterans organizations in Hawai"i. On January 3, the congresswoman wrote a formal inquiry to the VA asking for answers about the details of the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's (NMCP) interment policies, how many burial sites are currently available, and what plans are in place to offer in-ground burial sites to eligible veterans.

"The VA's decision to inform veterans and veteran organizations about the grave sites available at Punchbowl National Cemetery is necessary and timely," said Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard. "Our military families deserve to know what burial options are available to their loved ones, and the process must be fair and transparent.

"While this is a step in the right direction, I look forward to receiving the VA's response to my formal inquiry on this issue explaining why these sites were not previously announced and why eligible veterans were turned away. I will also work to identify other veterans organizations that deserve to have access to this information."

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