A new partnership will help serve the faith needs of families during committal and memorial services at the Department of Veterans Affairs’ cemeteries.
The VA’s National Chaplain Service has teamed with the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps to expand veterans’ families' access to qualified faith leaders during committal and memorial services held at the cemeteries.
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“The partnership, implemented in December 2021, came about from increased requests from family members asking for chaplain support during burial services at NCA cemeteries,” said VA Chaplain Program Manager for Family Care and Bereavement Chad Maxey.
VA’s National Chaplain Service provides administrative support, training, and other services to assist CAP in supporting VA national cemeteries and providing chaplain coverage when a VA chaplain is not available.
“Working with Civil Air Patrol expands our ability to provide trained chaplains, whether from VA or CAP to Veterans’ families when they need it most,” added Maxey.
Chaplain services are available to veterans and their families representing a broad spectrum of religious traditions at every VA Medical Center in the country. Family members may request chaplain support through their local VA Chaplain Service Office when scheduling a burial.
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“Our chaplains stand ready to help families honor the memory and legacy of their loved ones,” said Civil Air Patrol National Commander Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka.
In 2021, VA’s National Cemetery Administration conducted more than 150,000 burials, an all-time high dating back to its establishment in 1973.
For more information on VA support services, burials and memorials, visit here. National Cemetery Administration.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.