Rigell Cosponsors Bill to Guarantee All Military Families Transportation for Dignified Transfer Ceremonies

Press Release

Congressman Scott Rigell (VA-02) recently cosponsored H.R. 2662, the Fallen Hero Family Assistance Act. The bill ensures that the Department of Defense (DoD) will provide transportation for the next of kin to attend the dignified transfer ceremony of a man or woman who has died in service to our country, regardless of the nature of their mission. A dignified transfer, or the process by which the body of a fallen U.S. service member is transferred and returned to the United States for burial, is conducted for every member of our military who dies in the theater of operation.

Rigell, whose district is home to more active duty and retired men and women in uniform than any other congressional district in the country, said, "In such difficult times, our Gold Star families should be able to meet the remains of their loved ones without financial hardship. Our nation made a promise to care for the families of our fallen heroes, and the most practical way we can honor that commitment is by standing boldly with them in their most difficult times of need."

On May 12, 2015, six U.S. Marines lost their lives when their helicopter crashed during a life-saving assistance mission to the victims of the earthquake in Nepal. The families of these six Marines had to receive a DoD exemption to meet the remains of their loved ones because, under current DoD policy, travel costs are not covered for the families of service members who die on disaster relief or humanitarian missions overseas.

The Fallen Hero Family Assistance Act will ensure families of our fallen service members are guaranteed transportation to attend dignified transfer ceremonies, whether their deaths occurred in a designated combat zone or a military ordered humanitarian relief operation.

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