I know the Battle Monuments Commission is responsible for those US military Buried/Memorialised outside of the US however I wish to contact the department responsible for ST. LOUIS (JEFFERSON BARRACKS) NATIONAL CEMETERY in Missouri. I want to see if there is any hope of getting this lads headstone fixed. The name looks as if it has been corrected but a very poor attempt. They have also omitted to add the service (RAAF). Except for the rank of Flying Officer, it would seem that he was in the USAAF. I know the procedure for the CWGC to report headstone errors but not for the US. Do they have a similar contact system? These are the three graves of Aussies Cheers Geoff
Goff Have you tried contacting the actual cemetery itself they normally would be able to help. Failing that then contact the Veteran Affairs people and see if the can give guidance, maybe a PM to one of our American members may help I think Ranger6 is still serving in the Army so may have a usefull contact or two.
Geoff Disregard my above post and try the following website, WWW.CEM.VA.GOV then go to the Headstone/Memorial page and you will find there is a replacement Headstone/memorial line check that out
Hi Oldman, I think the answer is no depending on the meaning of this paragraph and particularly this sentence in red. Replacement Headstones and Markers Headstones and markers previously furnished by the Government may be replaced at Government expense if badly deteriorated, illegible, stolen or vandalized. We may also replace the new (or modern) headstone or marker if the inscription is incorrect, if it was damaged during shipping, or if the material or workmanship does not meet contract specifications. Please note that historic headstones (those greater than 50 years of age) will not be replaced to correct inscription inaccuracies based on modern research; requests for replacement of historic headstones will only be honored when inscriptions are worn to the point that they can no longer be read or if the headstone is otherwise damaged beyond repair. "Based on modern research" is the clincher here I think. This information was known (his surname) and his service (RAAF). Based on this, there may be a chance as his two fellow RAAF have their service inscribed on their headstones. All we need now is an email address where it will go to someone who can make a decision. Any clues? Cheers Geoff
Hi Geoff, I know all about this, would you believe that the United States of Amercia do not know where there Veterans are buried before 1992... I have a letter stating this they do not hold records for any of them which I find very surprising but the place to start is this address Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration 810 Vermont Ave, N,W, Washington DC 20420 USA Good luck Cheers Tom
Hi Geoff, I know all about this, would you believe that the United States of Amercia do not know where there Veterans are buried before 1992... I have a letter stating this they do not hold records for any of them which I find very surprising but the place to start is this address Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration 810 Vermont Ave, N,W, Washington DC 20420 USA Good luck Cheers Tom Thanks Tom, Will give it a try. Cheers Geoff
Geoff, I called the Cemetery. I will send you a PM with an email address. Keep us posted if you get stuck. Cheers from the land of the frozen tundra, caribou and all kinds of igloos.
Geoff, I called the Cemetery. I will send you a PM with an email address. Keep us posted if you get stuck. Cheers from the land of the frozen tundra, caribou and all kinds of igloos. Thanks Randy, We are just leaving all that wintry stuff behind us. Go Spring and roll on summer! Cheers Geoff
Geoff Hope it works out for you, thought the Veteran Affairs website would have helped, typical of the beaurecrats though to have a get out of jail card.
Try these folks too. The cemetery at Jefferson Barracks is administered by the Department of Veteran's Affairs. There are several agencies that administer the various cemeteries here in the US. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery 2900 Sheridan Road St. Louis, MO 63125 Phone: (314) 845-8320 FAX: (314) 845-8355 I spent the Labor Day Holiday in St. Louis visiting an Army buddy and his family. Too bad this wasn't posted sooner, I would have went to the admin office to get some first hand information for you. Please keep us posted on the matter, and let me know if there is anything I can do to help out.
Try these folks too. The cemetery at Jefferson Barracks is administered by the Department of Veteran's Affairs. There are several agencies that administer the various cemeteries here in the US. Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery 2900 Sheridan Road St. Louis, MO 63125 Phone: (314) 845-8320 FAX: (314) 845-8355 I spent the Labor Day Holiday in St. Louis visiting an Army buddy and his family. Too bad this wasn't posted sooner, I would have went to the admin office to get some first hand information for you. Please keep us posted on the matter, and let me know if there is anything I can do to help out. Thanks for the extra lead. I will send my request to VA first with corroborating photos and see what kind of reaction I get. Cheers Geoff
Thanks for your interest and information evereyone. I have sent the email to the chap at VA supplied by Randy to see what sort of reception I receive. Will advise any reply. Cheers Geoff
I received a reply very quickly from the chap at St Louis (Jefferson Barracks) Cemetery. He advises that the photo I was led to believe was taken "not very long ago" was in fact more than 6 years old as he had the headstone replaced in 2004 when he noticed the poor attempt to etch F/O Keogh's name. He also sent me a photo of the replacement headstone. I of course replied very apologetically and thanked him for his efforts, his quick reply and the new photo. So if you have a problem there in the future, Randy (another one) will surely get it sorted. From this: Thanks for all your help. United States is now complete. Cheers Geoff
It's good to know that all was made well, and that your inquirey was properly and quickly tended to. Great job. Randy said that he organised the new headstone in 2004. Reading between the lines, I think he was most disappointed with the first effort hence the new replacement back then. (If I had moved on this a month ago, you would have seen the new stone)
Geoff, Bravo! Glad you got it sorted out. Randy Thanks Randy, All's well that ends well! Cheers Geoff
Geoff Really pleased for you what a great result for you and thanks to our forum members on the American Continent for there great assistance.
Oldman, Being a lot of a Canadian, could we say North American Continent? No slight to A-58... but we do occupy more space on this continent.
