Unfortunately, most of the graves of soldiers who died during our wars are forgotten and unmarked. It is sad that many families can't afford to place a headstone on the final resting places of veterans who survived our wars and returned to the United States to live until their natural end.

Free veteran grave markers for most of the unmarked graves of any American veteran can be ordered from the U.S. Veterans Administration. They are available in a variety of types and are made of either granite, marble or bronze. Any person can order a memorial marker for the veteran. It is not necessary to be a descendant or relative.

To obtain an Application for Standard Government Headstone or Marker, write to the following address:

Upon receipt of the application, complete it as directed and take the filled out form on how you wish the marker to read to the cemetery, they need to agree to accept delivery of the marker, a cemetery official has to sign the form. The cemetery will return it to the Veterans Administration for you normally.

Please also note: Even though the veteran's grave marker is free, you will most probably have to pay a setting, care and or foundation fee to have it erected or placed on your loved ones burial space within the cemetery.

Be forewarned; your application may take as long as two years to be processed.The marble or granite stones are very heavy, we recommend as well as the V.A. that you have the veteran's memorial marker sent directly to the cemetery. Upon receipt of the veteran's burial marker at the cemetery, it will normally take them one to two weeks to place the veteran's marker on your loved ones grave space.

Check with the Cemetery to see if a V.A. Grave Marker is permissible in the area where your loved one is laid to rest. Also most Cemeteries will want the property owner of record to give permission to place the veteran's grave marker on the veteran's burial space.

Samples of Veteran Markers

UPRIGHT TYPES:

Most cemeteries do not allow the upright headstones due to the extra required ground maintenance that is needed.

These headstones are 42 inches long, 13 inches wide and 4 inches thick. Weight is approximately 230 pounds. Variations may occur in stone color, and the marble may contain light to moderate veining.

 

Upright Marble

Upright Granite

In some cemeteries a concrete border may be required, to extend the size of the marker to make it uniform in size to the surrounding markers, this is known as a restricted area.

The flat bronze grave marker is 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, with 3/4 inch rise. Weight is approximately 18 pounds. Anchor bolts, nuts and washers for fastening to a base are furnished with the marker. The government does not furnish a base.

The flat granite and flat marble grave marker is 24 inches long, 12 inches wide, and 4 inches thick. Weight is approximately 130 pounds. Variations may occur in stone color; the marble may contain light to moderate veining. (Shown is the Flat Granite)

 

Bronze

Flat Granite or Flat Marble