Congressman Adler Introduces Bill to Honor Our Fallen Heroes

Press Release

Congressman John Adler, the only N.J. member of the House Veterans' Affair Committee, today announced legislation to help veterans and their families pay for the cost of a burial. Presently, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) extends a $300 plot allowance for veterans who pass away. Congressman Adler's bill extends the VA's plot allowance to a veteran's spouse and dependent children, and increases the plot allowance to $500 to deal with inflation and higher internment costs.

"Our nation's heroes deserve an honorable resting place," Congressman John Adler said. "Our country is safe and free because of the sacrifice made by the brave men and women of our Armed Forces. The United States will always be indebted to our veterans, and their heroism should never be forgotten."

"The New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs welcomes Congressman Adler's efforts to increase the Plot Allowance to $500 and to extend that allowance to the spouse and dependent children of veterans who are buried at a State Veterans Cemetery. The increase will adjust the rate to reflect inflationary trends that have occurred since 2001 when the allowance was set at $300and permitting the payment of the allowance to spouses and dependent children will afford State Veterans Cemeteries the same revenue benefits that already exist at National Cemeteries," said Raymond Zawacki, Deputy Commissioner of Veterans Affairs, Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.

The New Jersey Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), which recently named Congressman Adler its Federal Legislator of the Year, released the following statement in support of the legislation.

"This is long overdue. Without Congressman Adler's bill, there would be a greater burden on taxpayers where the states are contributing for the burial allowances at state-run cemeteries or on the families of veterans for a benefit given to veterans by the federal government," said Bill Thompson, Commander of the New Jersey VFW Commander.

Congressman Adler's district is home to more than 66,000 veterans, the nation's first tri-service Joint Base, the VA's National Cemetery at Beverly and the Brigadier General William C. Doyle State Veterans Cemetery. The Brigadier General William C. Doyle Veterans Cemetery, North Hanover, Burlington County, is considered the nation's busiest veterans cemetery. In fact, the Cemetery averages seven internments a day.

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