Mom Wins Fight for Burial Next to Veteran Son

The VA turned down Denise Anderson’s request to be buried at Massachusetts National Cemetery with her son, Cory Shea, who was killed in Iraq in 2008. For two years, Anderson has been the driving force behind a bill that would allow some parents of deceased soldiers to be buried alongside their children in national military cemeteries.

Congress approved The Corey Shea Act on Wednesday, which allows parents to be buried next to their fallen veteran children if the child had no living spouse or minor children. Additional requirements are that there has to be available space at the gravesite and the service member must have died in preparation for battle or in battle.

The bill will now go to President Obama’s desk as part of a larger measure on veterans benefits.

When asked how she felt about the victory, Denise stated, “I have peace in my heart now that I know I can be buried with him. It’s like, finally I can take a breath.”

Andrew Miga, Mass. Mom Wins Fight for Burial Near Son, KCBD.com, Sept. 30, 2010.

Special thanks to Sara Hudman (attorney, Lubbock, TX) for bringing this to my attention.