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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
04/23/2024 11:25 AM
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=20758
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: September 21, 2016 11:50 AM
From: Representative Jim Christiana
To: All House members
Subject: Pennsylvania Veterans' Grave Decorations
 

Currently, counties are required to place a United States flag on the graves of all honorably discharged veterans, including those who served in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines during World War II, and any organization officially connected with the military and whose separation from such service was honorable. To that end, it is the duty of the county commissioners of each county to provide United States flags of one standard size on each Memorial Day with which to decorate the graves of the above mentioned persons. These U.S. flags are to remain up from Memorial Day until after the 4th of July.

I will be introducing legislation to require cemeteries to remove torn and weathered flags and contact the county for a replacement. My proposal will also allow for a veteran’s family member to keep the U.S. flag after the first working day after the 4th of July. The county would be permitted to monitor the flag placements and work with the local veterans’ service organizations to ensure that cemeteries are complying with the law. This legislation will also increase the fines for a violation of the applicable statute.

The placement of U.S. flags at the burial site of our military personnel and veterans are an important way to honor and respect those who have devoted their lives to serving our Commonwealth and nation. Our military personnel and veterans risked their lives to preserve our freedoms and liberty. It is only appropriate that we honor them by improving this law and act of remembrance.

This proposal is a companion proposal, with similar provisions, to additional legislation to authorize the placement of U.S. flags on the graves of our first responders who risk their lives daily.

I thank you for your consideration and support.