Press Releases

Yesterday Congressman Lawler introduced the Giving Reservists a Valiant Eternity (GRAVE) Act. Under current law, only reservists who were entitled to VA retirement pay, who were called to active duty for purposes other than training, or who died as a result of training are eligible to receive headstones or grave markers. The GRAVE Act strikes these existing eligibility requirements to expand access to these honors to all reservists. 

"I'm proud to introduce the GRAVE Act, which will ensure reservists receive the military honors they are due," Representative Mike Lawler (NY-17) said. "Every day, brave men and women across the country join our military reserves. Whether they enlist in the Army Reserve, the Naval Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve, or the Coast Guard Reserve, these individuals understand the essential role they play in military readiness."

"While all reservists are trained and equipped to mobilize alongside active duty military, only certain reservists are eligible to receive a headstone or grave marker once they pass on," added Representative Lawler (NY-17). "This is unfortunate and unfair. All reservists step up and serve, and deserve be commemorated for their service to our country."

"Whether they were activated or not, Reservists deserve access to headstones and grave markers," added Dan Davin, the Commander for American Legion Post 329 in Pearl River, New York. "The GRAVE Act is necessary to ensure all our brave reservists are honored properly, and I am grateful for Congressman Lawler’s continued advocacy for our service members."

The GRAVE Act has been endorsed by the Reserve Officers of America (ROA), Naval Enlisted Reserve Association (NERA), Fleet Reserve Association (FRA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Jewish War Veterans (JWV), and Blinded Veterans Association (BVA).

"The Reserve Organization of America thanks Representative Lawler for introducing the Giving Reservists a Valiant Eternity Act," said ROA’s executive director, retired Army Maj. Gen. Jeffrey E. Phillips. "For too long, law and policy have treated members of the Reserve and National Guard like second-class citizens rather than citizen-warriors. By ensuring all reserve component members receive a headstone or grave marker at their burial site, the GRAVE Act honors their service and moves the nation one step closer to achieving equity between components. ROA looks forward to fighting for a swift signing of this bill into law."

 "Giving Reservists, who served as valiantly and diligently as their active duty components, access to headstones and grave markers is  the least we can do to acknowledge their service and sacrifices," said NERA President Joanne Elliott.

"The Blinded Veterans Association strongly supports the expansion of access to headstones and grave markers for Reservists, proposed through the Giving Reservists a Valiant Eternity (GRAVE) Act introduced by Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY-17)," said BVA Chief of Staff Timothy Hornik. "Our Reservists have always responded with exceptional patriotism and dedication when called up for service, thus obligating us as a nation to honor them with dignified burials."

"Reserve Component Members (National Guard and Reservists) fill a unique and much needed role in our voluntary force. By expanding their eligibility for VA provided headstones and grave markers, Reserve Component Members will be recognized and receive a final tribute for their service. Congress should act now and provide this overdue recognition," said Jewish War Veterans of America National Commander Colonel Nelson L. Mellitz, USAF, retired. "The GRAVE Act strikes existing minimum active-duty eligibility requirements under 5303A and allows all Reserve Component Members to access headstones and grave markers. JWV thanks and commends Rep. Mike Lawler for his leadership on this issue and looks forward to working with him to secure passage."

New York's 17th Congressional District is just north of New York City and contains all or parts of Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, and Westchester Counties.