"In Washington, D.C., the nation's congressmen and women are considering a measure that would improve cemeteries of American Indian veterans. Sounds like another good idea - to recognize the contributions of those who so proudly served this nation.

The Native American Veterans Cemetery Act of 2006 would authorize states to provide Department of Veterans Affairs grants to any tribal organization for establishing, expanding or improving veterans' cemeteries on trust lands owned by, or held in trust for, the organization. Today, tribal organizations are not eligible for such funds.

When Indian veterans die, they can be laid to rest on tribal land, as is tradition, or buried in a national veterans' cemetery. Families have to make that hard choice."

Get the Story:
Gazette Opinion: Indian veterans cemetery act a deserving effort (The Billings Gazette 9/29)

Get the Bill:
H.R.601 | S.2659

Relevant Links:
National Native American Veterans Association - http://www.nnava.org
Department of Veterans Affairs - http://www.va.gov

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