WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Bruce Poliquin, a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, has introduced a commonsense bill to ensure that veterans’ family members who are buried at tribal veterans cemeteries — such as the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Tribal Veterans Cemetery in Aroostook County — are provided government furnished headstones.
Those buried at national and state veterans cemeteries currently receive this accommodation, but it does not presently extend to tribal veterans cemeteries. Under current law, government furnished headstones are only available to veterans’ eligible spouses and dependents buried in national and state veterans cemeteries.
The proposed bill would authorize the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide headstones and markers to eligible spouses and dependents interred at tribal veterans cemeteries.
“The Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians is honored to have the first Tribal Veterans Cemetery, east of the Mississippi,” said Clarissa Sabattis, tribal chief of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians. “We all know that when a loved one serves in the military, especially when deployed overseas, that the family serves as well. Spouses take on the additional duties and stresses of taking care of their homes, being single parents, raising and comforting their children in times of great stress and ensuring our veterans have a home to return to. Congressman Poliquin’s Bill honors the families and acknowledges the sacrifices made by those who stay behind by providing headstones for the spouses and children of veterans who are buried in tribal cemeteries.”
“Our Veterans and their families have all served our nation and have sacrificed to defend our freedom,” said Congressman Poliquin in a press release. “The cemeteries across our country where they are laid to rest are hallowed ground that know no jurisdictions or bureaucracy. Veterans laid to rest in tribal Veterans cemeteries should have the honor of being buried with their families and all should have access to headstones commemorating their sacrifices. I’m proud of the Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians for creating the first Tribal Veterans Cemetery not only in Maine, but on the entire east coast. It is a great honor to serve them and to make this commonsense fix so all our Veterans and their families can be properly honored when they are laid to rest.”
