VA Appoints Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.

Steve Muro, a Vietnam Veteran with leadership experience at every level within the Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration, has been sworn in as Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs.

According to a release, Muro has been the Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs since January 2009.

"Working with Steve Muro for more than two years, I know he has the vision to help transform the Department of Veterans Affairs," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki.

"Together with the other men and women of our Cemetery Administration, he will continue working to serve those who sacrificed for our country, their families and survivors."

As the senior official for VA's burial operations and memorial affairs, Muro is responsible for overseeing 131 national cemeteries that provide burial services for military Veterans and eligible family members. He is responsible for operating and maintaining VA cemeteries as national shrines and for land acquisition and other activities related to establishing additional national cemeteries. His responsibility also includes programs that provide headstones, grave markers, medallions and Presidential Memorial Certificates for eligible Veterans, as well as federal grants to help U.S. states, territories and tribal governments establish Veterans' cemeteries.

Previously Muro was the director of the cemetery administration's Office of Field Programs and Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. He was named Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs on Jan. 21, 2009.

The VA operates 131 national cemeteries in 39 states and Puerto Rico and 33 soldiers' lots and monument sites. More than 3.5 million Americans, including Veterans of every war and conflict, are buried in VA's national cemeteries on more than 19,000 acres of land.

Veterans with a discharge issued under conditions other than dishonorable, their spouses and eligible dependent children can be buried in a VA national cemetery. Also eligible are military personnel who die on active duty, their spouses and eligible dependents. Other burial benefits available for Veterans, regardless of whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery, include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a government headstone or marker. Families of eligible decedents may also order a memorial headstone or marker when remains are not available for interment.

Information on VA burial benefits can be obtained from national cemetery offices, from the Internet at cem.va.gov or by calling VA regional offices toll-free at 800-827-1000. To make burial arrangements at the time of need at any VA national cemetery, call the National Cemetery Scheduling Office at 800-535-1117.

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