KYMCCREA-L Archives

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Subject: Buried Veterans Records Now on Web
Date: Tue, 13 Apr 2004 12:37:20 EDT

Buried Veterans Records Now on Web
SUZANNE GAMBOA
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Associated Press
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WASHINGTON - Sally Naporlee turned to the Department of Veterans Affairs to
find out more about her grandfather, who served during World War I.
After a few weeks wait for a response, Naporlee learned from the VA that
Carmelo Castorina is buried at Long Island National Cemetery in Farmingdale, N.Y.
Unexpectedly, she also learned from VA that her grandmother is buried with
him, a privilege extended to veterans' spouses.
VA has made it easier and faster for the public to get answers about family
history, old war buddies or famous war heroes. The agency put on the Web 3.2
million records for veterans buried at 120 national cemeteries since the Civil
War.
The VA's Nationwide Gravesite Locator, at <A HREF="http://www.cem.va.gov/">http://www.cem.va.gov</A>;, also has
records for some state veterans cemeteries and burials in Arlington National
Cemetery since 1999.
Joe Nosari, VA's deputy chief information officer for Memorial Affairs, said
the records used to be on paper and microfilm. Private companies have put some
of the information online and charged for it, but the VA information is free,
he said.
Naporlee, of Spokane, Wash., also learned her grandfather served with the
Army's 161 DB unit, enlisting June 24, 1918. He was honorably discharged December
17, 1918.
The VA's gravesite navigator includes names, dates of birth and death,
military service dates, service branch and rank if known, cemetery information and
grave location in the cemetery. The VA will withhold some information, such as
next of kin, for privacy purposes.
The site will be updated daily. Annually, about 80,000 veterans are buried at
national cemeteries.
The VA also hopes to add records for veterans whose families requested grave
markers from the VA. Those markers may go to private cemeteries or cemeteries
overseas.
ON THE NET
VA Nationwide Gravesite Locator: <A HREF="http://www.cem.va.gov/">http://www.cem.va.gov</A>;

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