United States Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Burial & Memorials

National Shrine Commitment

A national shrine is a place of honor and memory that declares to the visitor or family who views it that, within its majestic setting, each and every veteran may find a sense of serenity, historic sacrifice and nobility of purpose. Each visitor should depart feeling that the grounds, the gravesites and the environs of the national cemetery are a beautiful and awe-inspiring tribute to those who gave much to preserve our Nation's freedom and way of life.

National Shrine Commitment provides the first independent, nationwide review of conditions at 119 VA national cemeteries. Independent teams of engineers and architects conducted extensive site visits to each cemetery to identify and recommend projects for improving the condition, function or appearance of the cemeteries. They assessed burial sections, roadways, buildings, historic structures and identified 928 potential improvement projects at an estimated cost of $280 million. VA will use the information in the report to make funding decisions and set priorities for making repairs. VA will set priorities for completing the recommended projects. Priorities will be based on the nature and severity of the problems, the long-term benefits, and on data from the survey on customer satisfaction with cemeteries. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs sent this report to Congress on August 14, 2002.


National Shrine Commitment - News Release

Secretary Principi's Transmittal Letter (PDF)

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