annual campaign reminds us to take the steps necessary to detect the disease in its early stages and encourage others to do the same. Today, with early detection, there is a higher probability of full recovery than ever before.

s of 2012 as they engage in hands-on training as part of their year-long preparation to become national cemetery directors. The NCA National Training Center is located in St. Louis and provides the only training for cemetery operations in the federal government. During their course of study, the interns are exposed to every aspect of cemetery operations and frequently “get their hands dirty” at nearby Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery.

end them out on a cruise of three months to intercept transports carrying munitions and stores to the British army in America. This was the original legislation out of which the Continental Navy grew and as such constitutes the birth certificate of the navy.

Happy Birthday, U.S. Navy!!!

of Honor recipients dedicated a stone memorial to 30 missing-in-action honorees and 32 recipients interred at the cemetery. The recipients gathered in Hawaii for a week-long convention sponsored by the Congressional Medal of Honor Society. The group meets each year to remember all Medal of Honor recipients and reunite those still living. Today, out of the 3,459 heroes who have earned the Medal of Honor, 81 are still living. Photo by Erik Slavin. Used with permission from Stars and Stripes. Copyright 2012 Stars and Stripes.

etery in Louisiana and a new tribal cemetery in South Dakota. Expansion and improvement grants to 10 states will extend the life of existing cemeteries. Six states will receive cemetery operations and maintenance grants that will help those cemeteries reach national shrine standards of appearance.
In the photo, Veterans Cemetery Grants Service director Josh de Leon (third from right) helps break ground for the Southern Arizona Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Sierra Vista, Ariz., on Sept. 17, 2012. From left to right: Rick Mueller, mayor of Sierra Vista; Britann O’Brien, Office of the Governor; William Pakinkis, Marine Corps League; Joshua de Leon; Maj. Gen. Gregg C. Potter, commanding general Fort Huachuca; and Joey Strickland, Arizona Department of Veterans’ Services. Photo by Beatrice Richardson of the Sierra Vista Herald.
For further details, see the official VA news release here: http://www.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=2396.

The Rural Initiative plan is to build small National Veterans Burial Grounds in rural areas where the unserved Veteran population is less than 25,000 within a 75-mile radius. VA's current policy for establishing new national cemeteries is to build where the unserved Veteran population is 80,000 or more within a 75-mile radius.

Over the next six years VA plans to open eight National Veterans Burial Grounds in the Fargo, North Dakota; Rhinelander, Wisconsin; Cheyenne, Wyoming; Laurel, Montana; Idaho Falls, Idaho; Cedar City, Utah; Calais, Maine; and Elko, Nevada areas. A National Veterans Burial Ground will be a small three to five acre NCA-managed section within an existing public or private cemetery. NCA will provide a full range of burial options and control the operation and maintenance of these lots. These sections will be held to the same National Shrine Standards as VA national cemeteries.

VA estimates that there are nearly 136,000 Veterans within the 75-mile area service radius of the eight locales identified to receive a National Veterans Burial Grounds. Increasing access to burial benefits will help NCA to reach its strategic goal to make a VA burial option available to 94 percent of Veterans within a reasonable distance (75 miles) of their residence.

ion – Semper Fidelis – Dedicated to those men of the 1st Marine Division, FMF who gave their lives in the service of their country – World War II – Korea – Vietnam – Southwest Asia.”

The bronze plaque is emblazoned with a wreath, the number one and symbols of the US Marine Corps. Cemetery director Cynthia Nunez said, “We thank you for this wonderful addition to our memorial walk. We hope you will come and visit us often to pause, reflect and honor our Veterans.”

ar right), Nicole Maldon, EEO specialist (far left) and Brent Wilkes (2nd from left), National Executive Director for the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and keynote speaker at VA’s Kick-Off Celebration of the 2012 Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 20. The 2012 national theme is “Diversity United, Building America’s Future Today.”