U.S. General Services Administration
GSA Facilitates the Transfer of Army Cemeteries to VA
by Javier Fernandez
Our nation’s military cemeteries honor U.S. veterans with a final resting place to memorialize their service, and in many cases, their selfless sacrifice on behalf of a grateful country. Currently, GSA’s Pacific Rim Region’s Office of Real Property Utilization and Disposal is working diligently to facilitate the transfer of three U.S. Department of the Army cemeteries to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs (VA).
The move is aimed at reducing operational costs and increasing operational efficiency at the Benicia Arsenal, Fort Worden, and Fort Stevens cemeteries in California, Washington, and Oregon respectively. Veterans of every major military conflict, including the Civil War, World Wars I and II, and the Vietnam War, are interred there. These cemeteries provide their communities with a peaceful and contemplative place where they can honor our nation’s military veterans and thank them for their service.
Because the U.S. Army lacks the delegated authority to directly transfer these cemeteries to the VA, GSA is working to make the transfer possible. Since answering the initial call for help, GSA has received, reviewed, and approved the necessary forms and documents from the U.S. Army and VA to develop and submit a formal transfer package to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for consideration. Once OMB approves the transfer package, the transfer will be complete and GSA will provide the VA with a formal transfer letter and related files for their records.
The modern military cemetery system traces its roots to the U.S. Civil War and dates back to 1862 when Congress passed legislation to purchase "cemetery grounds" to serve as national cemeteries "for soldiers who shall have died in the service of the country." All honorably discharged veterans are eligible for burial at no cost to the veteran’s family, as well as a burial flag, headstone or marker. Additionally, every burial comes with a commitment to maintaining every grave, in every military cemetery forever, as a national shrine. This is a sacred trust that is honored by the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs. VA’s National Cemetery Administration operates 145 national cemeteries and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites in 42 states and Puerto Rico.
“It has been a real privilege to be part of this process, both professionally and personally,” said David Haase, Director of GSA’s Region 9 Office of Real Property Utilization and Disposal. “This is one of our more unique projects and we’re happy to ensure that these military cemeteries are transferred to an agency that is better positioned to maintain and operate these hallowed grounds.”