Is there a standard for Veteran grave markers?

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:33:01 -0400

Specifically regarding the Army and the National Guard, conversation came up on how to properly mark a gravestone or plate for a Soldier of the National Guard.

Ultimately I suppose it's whatever the family wants to put as it's their Soldier, their family member; but the question was asked and I'm not sure how to answer it.

My thought was the following:
FIRST MIDDLE LAST
RANK - SERVICE BRANCH
WAR / CONFLICT SERVED
BIRTH YEAR - DEATH YEAR

So in this case the veterans branch is Army, and their component is National Guard. So I suggested put U.S. ARMY as the Branch following the rank and then somewhere on the stone or plate put the Army National Guard insignia.

As I said in my opinion it's ultimately up to the family, but if you have any ideas or resources on the matter I'm open to listening.

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2022 4:39 PM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:39:17 -0400

SPC Private RallyPoint Member It would be best to check with the cemetery where the burial will take place for their requirements.

https://www.cem.va.gov/faq.asp#2

VA.gov | Veterans Affairs

Apply for and manage the VA benefits and services you’ve earned as a Veteran, Servicemember, or family member—like health care, disability, education, and more.

Response by SGM Bill Frazer made Apr 5 at 2022 4:41 PM

SGM Bill Frazer — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 16:41:29 -0400

The VA has standardized markers- it all depends on what the family wants.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2022 5:16 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 17:16:04 -0400

For National Guard and Reserve - technically you're only a veteran if you serve 20+ years (as of 2016). Prior to that, National Guard or Reservists were veterans if deployed on active duty for 180 days or more and didn't get a dishonorable or bad conduct discharge. Also prior to this change in law, even if someone did 20 years they weren't considered a veteran. It was just active duty time. This is why my grandfather isn't considered a veteran - he did several years in the Guard but was never on active duty orders during that time. When he died - No flag. No military burial honors. Because he wasn't technically a veteran. I had to go look up because I had wondered why there wasn't anything military at his funeral. He died Aug 2016.

https://www.nationalguard.mil/News/Article/1038989/guard-and-reserve-members-receive-veteran-status/#:~:text=ARLINGTON%2C%20Va.,federal%20status%20outside%20of%20training.

A National Guard member or Reservist may be eligible for a headstone or marker if they meet any of these requirements specific to their type of service.

National Guard members
At least one of these must be true:

The National Guard member was entitled to retirement pay at their time of death (or would have been entitled if they were over 60 years old), or
The National Guard member served in a federal status and for the period of time they were called to serve
Reservists
At least one of these must be true:

The Reservist was entitled to retirement pay at their time of death (or would have been entitled if they were over 60 years old), or
The Reservist was called to active duty for purposes other than training
Note: National Guard members or Reservists who have only limited active-duty service for training aren’t eligible in most cases. They may be eligible in certain situations, such as if they died during or as the result of the training.

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/headstones-markers-medallions/#:~:text=National%20Guard%20members%20and%20Reservists,to%20their%20type%20of%20service.

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