The U.S. Senate has passed bipartisan legislation that would allow the Department of Veterans Affairs to honor all Medal of Honor recipients with a headstone, grave marker, or medallion.
The Mark Our Place Act was introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), Sens. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio).
“Our brave Medal of Honor recipients deserve a final resting place that honors their incredible service and sacrifices—no matter when they served,” said Tester. “Our commonsense bill will ensure we’re preserving these heroes legacies by rightfully memorializing all Medal of Honor recipients, and I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly take action on this legislation.”
The memorial honors are currently only available to Medal of Honor recipients who served after 1917.
“Our Medal of Honor recipients are the best America has to offer,” said Braun. “ I was proud to introduce this bill to memorialize the valor of all Medal of Honor recipients, and I’m so proud to see it pass the U.S. Senate on its way to becoming law.”
The legislation passed the Senate on May 1.
“We will never forget the debt we owe our veterans, and we’re humbled by their commitment to service, said Brown.
This bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
