Army National Military Cemeteries, 65875-65888 [2016-23087]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations the language in § 145.61(a) alone would be sufficient to ensure appropriate ratings and limitations could be determined without the list in § 145.61(b). ARSA stated the reinstitution of paragraph (b)(13) is merely a specific acknowledgement of the general language in § 145.61(a). ARSA also specifically requested that the agency not deem its observation as opposition to the interim final rule, rather, a suggestion for consideration. The FAA agrees with ARSA’s comment that the removal of specified airframe rated housing requirements will allow for performance-based compliance. The FAA notes ARSA’s suggestion to remove § 145.61(b) in its entirety and may consider it in a future rulemaking effort. Airbus requested clarification on the correct title for § 145.205, Maintenance, preventive maintenance, and alterations performed for certificate holders under parts 121, 125, and 135, and for foreign persons operating a U.S.-registered aircraft in common carriage under part 129. Airbus noted the word ‘‘performed’’ is spelled ‘‘per-formed’’ in the interim final rule and spelled ‘‘performed’’ in the electronic Code of Regulations (eCFR). Airbus asked which format was correct. The FAA notes the title in the eCFR is correct. Conclusion After consideration of the comments submitted in response to the interim final rule, the FAA has determined that no further rulemaking action is necessary. Therefore, amendment No. 145–31 remains in effect. How To Obtain Additional Information mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES A. Rulemaking Documents An electronic copy of a rulemaking document my be obtained by using the Internet— 1. Search the Federal eRulemaking Portal (https://www.regulations.gov); 2. Visit the FAA’s Regulations and Policies Web page at https:// www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ or 3. Access the Government Printing Office’s Web page at https:// www.gpo.gov/fdsys/. Copies may also be obtained by sending a request (identified by notice, amendment, or docket number of this rulemaking) to the Federal Aviation Administration, Office of Rulemaking, ARM–1, 800 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20591, or by calling (202) 267–9680. B. Comments Submitted to the Docket Comments received may be viewed by going to https://www.regulations.gov and VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 following the online instructions to search the docket number for this action. Anyone is able to search the electronic form of all comments received into any of the FAA’s dockets by the name of the individual submitting the comment (or signing the comment, if submitted on behalf of an association, business, labor union, etc.). C. Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act The Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act (SBREFA) of 1996 requires FAA to comply with small entity requests for information or advice about compliance with statutes and regulations within its jurisdiction. A small entity with questions regarding this document, may contact its local FAA official, or the person listed under the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT heading at the beginning of the preamble. To find out more about SBREFA on the Internet, visit https:// www.faa.gov/regulations_policies/ rulemaking/sbre_act/. Accordingly, the interim rule published July 15, 2016 (81 FR 49158), is adopted as final without change. Issued under authority provided by 49 U.S.C. 106(f), 44701(a), and 44703 in Washington, DC, on September 21, 2016. Lirio Liu, Director, Office of Rulemaking. [FR Doc. 2016–23121 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910–13–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army 32 CFR Part 553 [Docket No. USA–2015–HQ–0046] RIN 0702–AA60 Army National Military Cemeteries Department of the Army, DoD. Final rule. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army is publishing its regulation for the development, operation, maintenance, and administration of the Army National Cemeteries to reflect their statutory name change to the Army National Military Cemeteries and changes in the management structure, to adopt modifications suggested by the Department of the Army Inspector General and approved by the Secretary of the Army, and to implement changes in interment eligibility reflecting changes in law. DATES: This rule is effective on October 26, 2016. SUMMARY: PO 00000 Frm 00023 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65875 Mr. Robert Quackenbush, Army National Military Cemeteries, 703–614–7150. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: A. Executive Summary I. Purpose of the Regulatory Action a. This final rule modifies the Army’s regulation governing Army National Military Cemeteries, which consist of Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery, to reflect changes in the management structure of the Army National Military Cemeteries created by Army General Orders 2014–74 and 2014–75 and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Public Law 112–81, section 591 (2011) (adding chapter 446 to title 10); to incorporate modifications to eligibility as enacted by Section 1 to Public Law 114–158, dated 20 May 2016 which amends 38 U.S.C. 2410; to adopt modifications suggested by the Department of the Army Inspector General as approved by the Secretary of the Army; to implement interment, inurnment, and memorialization eligibility restrictions, including those mandated by 10 U.S.C. 985 and 38 U.S.C. 2411; and to prohibit the reservation of gravesites as mandated by 38 U.S.C. 2410a. b. The legal authority for this regulatory action is section 591 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Public Law 112–81 (2011), which added chapter 446 to title 10. Chapter 446 requires the Secretary of the Army to prescribe regulations and policies as may be necessary to administer the Army National Military Cemeteries, and it codifies the role of the Executive Director as the individual responsible for exercising authority, direction, and control over all aspects of the Army National Military Cemeteries. Throughout part 553, the Army replaces references to the Superintendent of the Cemetery, the Adjutant General, and Commanding General, Military District of Washington, with ‘‘Executive Director’’ to reflect the current organizational structure, which was implemented through Army General Orders 2014–74 and 2014–75 and codified in the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. II. Summary of and Response to Public Comments The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2016 (81 FR 29230) for a 60-day comment period. The Department of the Army received fourteen comments from fourteen individuals. Thirteen of the E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES 65876 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations comments addressed section 553.33(c)(8) concerning the use of bicycles in the cemetery. One of the thirteen comments also addressed section 553.33(c)(7) concerning use of the cemetery for physical training. The final comment addressed section 553.33(c)(14) concerning possession of firearms within the cemetery. The Army’s responses to these comments are discussed below. Thirteen comments addressed the updated restrictions for operating bicycles within the cemetery. Arguments were made for opening the cemetery to bicycles for riders’ convenience as a thruway between Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall/Memorial Drive, as an environmentally friendly method for seeing the cemetery, as a more neighborly approach to surrounding Arlington residents, as a better method for visiting distant gravesites, and for the health benefits to be gained from riding bicycles in the cemetery. Several commenters argued that bicycles do not impact the decorum of the cemetery. The Army disagrees with and rejects these comments for several reasons related to the nature of cemetery operations, decorum, security, and safety. The cemetery is not intended to serve as a shortcut route for bicyclists commuting to and from other locations. Rather, as an operational cemetery conducting up to 30 funerals a day and hosting official visits from visiting dignitaries on its narrow roads, the primary purpose of these roads are to facilitate funeral processions, military units, official vehicles to include their escorts, and cemetery equipment and vehicles operating in the daily care of the cemetery. Additionally, while the Army assumes that most riders bear no malice of intent to demonstrate disrespect or violate decorum or decency, bicyclists traversing the cemetery grounds, even at the posted speed limit, can and do impact the decorum of funeral processions and services, which can number up to 30 per day, as cyclists pass along or across these procession routes. These funeral processions include not just the families and mourners, but include caissons drawn by horses, military bands, and military escort elements all travelling at a walking pace. For these services, bus tour operators and vehicles are forced to stop because there is simply not enough room to pass. This ensures proper decorum. Likewise, visitors on foot typically stop and yield to the processions also as a sign of respect. Previous trial periods with bicyclists in VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 the cemetery showed bicyclists did not typically stop for these processions. The cemetery does not have the requisite staff to monitor and enforce this behavior for bicyclists. There are legitimate safety concerns with bicyclists mixing with pedestrians. Although they are moving under their own power, bicyclists move at a rate typically 10 times faster than most walking paces. Bicyclists passing the 4 million visitors walking along these roads or in open air tour buses pose risks to themselves, pedestrians, and bus passengers. Additionally, bicyclists riding in and around the cemetery are travelling at higher speeds than the funeral processions. Since there are no bike paths on the cemetery grounds, mixing bicyclists with these processions also constitutes a safety hazard. The comment arguing for public convenience is not supported on its merits. The current route used in the cemetery is 1.2 miles from South Post Chapel to Hwy 110 at Memorial Drive. There is an equally convenient 1.3 mile route around the cemetery from the South Post Chapel along McNair Road, Marshall Road and out the Wright Gate to the bike path along Highway 110 which can bring a rider to the same point on Memorial Drive—a greater distance of only one-tenth of one mile. For those desiring to visit their loved one’s grave by bicycle, the new rule still accommodates this ability with no substantive change from current policy. Guests desiring to visit a loved one’s grave can still obtain a temporary pass at the Welcome Center just as they do now, and with that pass, ride their bicycles to and from the gravesite. The Army also notes that tour buses and cars are not allowed free reign to enter the cemetery. For security purposes, they are restricted in where they can go within the cemetery. Moreover, for the same security reasons, they cannot enter without first obtaining a pass from the Welcome Center. With the changes in the new rule, the Army is simply imposing the same security restriction on bicyclists as they do on motorists and tour buses who desire to drive into the cemetery. Commenters also expressed support for expanding bicycle use and for installing bike racks to accommodate cyclists. The Army notes that there are already bike racks at the Welcome Center for those coming to Arlington via bicycle. On most days there is ample space available on these bike racks. Another commenter stated that the Army is incorrect in its claim that the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) does not apply because the proposed rule would completely ban the PO 00000 Frm 00024 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 ongoing activity of bicycle transportation though the cemetery. The Army believes the commenter’s facts are wrong. The rule does not completely ban bicyclists. In fact, it retains the current practice for those wishing to visit a gravesite on bicycle to obtain a pass at the Welcome Center in order to do so. The only substantive change is to not allow transit via the Meigs/ Sherman/Schley Drives through the cemetery. However, the Army believes the alternate McNair/Marshall/Hwy 110 bike path route described above still allows the same bicyclists the means to reach Memorial Drive at a negligibly increased distance by bicycle. Therefore, the rule does not significantly alter ongoing activities. The Army determined that implementing the new rule does not individually or cumulatively have any significant environmental consequences. Consequently, the Army’s proposed actions are categorically excluded recreational and law enforcement activities and do not require an environmental assessment or environmental impact statement under Army Regulation 200–2. Another commenter raised the point that the Army should allow physical training runs through the cemetery which would allow time for reflection on those veterans interred in the cemetery while exercising. The commenter considered it an honor to conduct physical training in a VA National Cemetery where the commenter had been previously stationed. The Army does grant exceptions to military units from the Army staff and from Joint Base MyerHenderson Hall conduct unit level physical training to support this type of reflection on a case-by-case basis. However, the training is always completed early in the morning before the Cemetery is open to visitors. Physical training during operating hours pose a decorum and safety issue. While the Army recognizes that being permitted to exercise at other cemeteries might be permissible and could provide an opportunity for reflection on the sacrifices made by those interred, exercise within the grounds during hours of operation while interments are being conducted does not reflect the decorum desired by the Army. Additionally, unlike most VA cemeteries, Arlington National Cemetery receives over 4 million tourists each year who visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy family gravesites, the Arlington House administered by the National Park Service, and other notable sites. The E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations sheer number of visitors, tour buses, along with the 30 funeral processions which include escort elements, bands, and caissons that occur each day throughout the cemetery grounds do not provide a safe environment conducive to physical training. The final comment concerned the prohibition of firearms. The commenter argued that Arlington National Cemetery is more analogous to a park than an Army installation and lacks the substantive access control and large security forces typically found on Army installations. The commenter further argued that there is no need to protect sensitive facilities and personnel at the Cemetery. The Army disagrees with this comment. Arlington Cemetery does have a substantial security force, exercises access control and shares the same type of security concerns found with other military facilities. Additionally, the cemetery hosts U.S. distinguished visitors, foreign Heads of State, and other dignitaries for over 3000 wreath laying ceremonies each year at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These funeral processions and official ceremonies require significantly greater security concerns than those found at typical parks cited by the commenter. In addition to the comments provided by the public above, the final rule also includes three modifications from the draft rule released in the May-July public comment period. Two of the modifications were required to comply with Public Law 114–158, enacted on 20 May 2016 after the draft rule was released for public comment. This new law recently modified eligibility for inurnment at Arlington National Cemetery to include active duty designees as found in the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. The third modification was made by the cemetery staff to add clarity to eligibility for interment in the soon to be opened Tomb of Remembrance. The two modifications required by Public Law were in § 553.1 Definitions, and § 553.13 Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery. The third modification to add clarity to eligibility for interment in the Tomb of Remembrance is captured in § 553.24, Subsequently recovered remains. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES B. Regulatory Flexibility Act The Army has determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act does not apply because the rule does not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601–612. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act The Army has determined that the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act does not apply because the rule does not include a mandate that may result in estimated costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the aggregate, or the private sector, of $100 million or more. D. National Environmental Policy Act Neither an environmental analysis nor an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Act is required. The changes made to the prior regulation by this amendment reflect existing policies and does not significantly alter ongoing activities, nor does this amendment constitute a new use of the property. E. Paperwork Reduction Act The Army has determined that this rule does not impose reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. F. Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and Interference With Constitutionally Protected Property Rights) The Army has determined that E.O. 12630 does not apply because the rule does not impair private property rights. G. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and E.O. 13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review) Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distribute impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule has not been designated a ‘‘significant regulatory action’’ under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866. H. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children From Environmental Health Risk and Safety Risks) The Army has determined that according to the criteria defined in E.O. 13045, the requirements of that Order do not apply to this rule. I. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism) The Army has determined that, according to the criteria defined in E.O. 13132, the requirements of that Order do not apply to this rule because the PO 00000 Frm 00025 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65877 rule will not have a substantial effect on the States, on the relationship between the Federal government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Patrick K. Hallinan, Executive Director. List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 553 Armed forces, Armed forces reserves, Military personnel, Monuments and memorials, Veterans. For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of the Army revises 32 CFR part 553 to read as follows: ■ PART 553—ARMY NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERIES Sec. 553.1 Definitions. 553.2 Purpose. 553.3 Statutory authorities. 553.4 Scope and applicability. 553.5 Maintaining order. 553.6 Standards for managing Army National Military Cemeteries. 553.7 Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. 553.8 Permission to install utilities. 553.9 Assignment of gravesites or niches. 553.10 Proof of eligibility. 553.11 General rules governing eligibility for interment, inurnment, and memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery. 553.12 Eligibility for interment in Arlington National Cemetery. 553.13 Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium. 553.14 Eligibility for interment of cremated remains in the Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area. 553.15 Eligibility for group burial in Arlington National Cemetery. 553.16 Eligibility for memorialization in an Arlington National Cemetery memorial area. 553.17 Arlington National Cemetery interment/inurnment agreement. 553.18 Eligibility for burial in U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. 553.19 Ineligibility for interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery. 553.20 Prohibition of interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery of persons who have committed certain crimes. 553.21 Findings concerning the commission of certain crimes where a person has not been convicted due to death or flight to avoid prosecution. 553.22 Exceptions to policies for interment, inurnment, or memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery. 553.23 Placement of cremated remains at Army National Military Cemeteries. 553.24 Subsequently recovered remains. 553.25 Disinterments and disinurnments of remains. E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 65878 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations 553.26 Design of Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers. 553.27 Inscriptions on Governmentfurnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers. 553.28 Private headstones and markers. 553.29 Permission to construct private headstones and markers. 553.30 Inscriptions on private headstones and markers. 553.31 Memorial and commemorative monuments (other than private headstones or markers). 553.32 Conduct of memorial services and ceremonies. 553.33 Visitors rules for Army National Military Cemeteries. 553.34 Soliciting and vending. 553.35 Media. Authority: 10 U.S.C. 985, 1128, 1481, 1482, 3013, 4721–4726; 24 U.S.C. 295a, 412; 38 U.S.C. 2402 note, 2409– 2411, 2413; 40 U.S.C. 9102. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES § 553.1 Definitions. As used in this part, the following terms have these meanings: Active duty. Full-time duty in the active military service of the United States. (1) This includes: (i) Active Reserve component duty performed pursuant to title 10, United States Code. (ii) Service as a cadet or midshipman currently on the rolls at the U.S. Military, U.S. Naval, U.S. Air Force, or U.S. Coast Guard Academies. (iii) Active duty for operational support. (iv) Persons whose service has been determined to be active duty service pursuant to section 401 of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 (Pub. L. 95– 202; 38 U.S.C. 106 note) as of 20 May 2016 and the remains of that person were not already formally interred or inurned as of 20 May 2016 or that person died on or after 20 May 2016. (2) This does not include: (i) Full-time duty performed under title 32, United States Code. (ii) Active duty for training, initial entry training, annual training duty, or inactive-duty training for members of the Reserve components. Active duty for operational support (formerly active duty for special work). A tour of active duty for Reserve personnel authorized from military or Reserve personnel appropriations for work on Active component or Reserve component programs. The purpose of active duty for operational support is to provide the necessary skilled manpower assets to support existing or emerging requirements and may include training. Active duty for training. A category of active duty used to provide structured individual and/or unit training, VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 including on-the-job training, or educational courses to Reserve component members. Included in the active duty for training category are annual training, initial active duty for training, or any other training duty. Annual training. The minimum period of active duty for training that Reserve members must perform each year to satisfy the training requirements associated with their Reserve component assignment. Armed Forces. The U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air Force and their Reserve components. Army National Military Cemeteries. Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. Category 4, 5, or 5+ Posts. Category 4, 5, or 5+ posts, including the equivalent classifications as determined by the Department of State that were used prior to 2004 or may be used subsequently. Child, minor child, permanently dependent child, unmarried adult child. (1) Child. (i) Natural child of a primarily eligible person, born in wedlock; (ii) Natural child of a female primarily eligible person, born out of wedlock; (iii) Natural child of a male primarily eligible person, who was born out of wedlock and: (A) Has been acknowledged in a writing signed by the male primarily eligible person; (B) Has been judicially determined to be the male primarily eligible person’s child; (C) Whom the male primarily eligible person has been judicially ordered to support; or (D) Has been otherwise proved, by evidence satisfactory to the Executive Director, to be the child of the male primarily eligible person (iv) Adopted child of a primarily eligible person; or (v) Stepchild who was part of the primarily eligible person’s household at the time of death of the individual who is to be interred or inurned. (2) Minor child. A child of the primarily eligible person who (i) Is unmarried; (ii) Has no dependents; and (iii) Is under the age of twenty-one years, or is under the age of twentythree years and is taking a full-time course of instruction at an educational institution which the U.S. Department of Education acknowledges as an accredited educational institution. (3) Permanently dependent child. A child of the primarily eligible person who (i) Is unmarried; (ii) Has no dependents; and PO 00000 Frm 00026 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (iii) Is permanently and fully dependent on one or both of the child’s parents because of a physical or mental disability incurred before attaining the age of twenty-one years or before the age of twenty-three years while taking a fulltime course of instruction at an educational institution which the U.S. Department of Education acknowledges as an accredited educational institution. (4) Unmarried adult child. A child of the primarily eligible person who (i) Is unmarried; (ii) Has no dependents; and (iii) Has attained the age of twentyone years. Close relative. The spouse, parents, adult brothers and sisters, adult natural children, adult stepchildren, and adult adopted children of a decedent. Commemorative monuments. Monuments or other structures or landscape features that serve to honor events in history, units of the Armed Forces, individuals, or groups of individuals that served in the Armed Forces, and that do not contain human remains or mark the location of remains in close proximity. The term does not include memorial markers erected pursuant to § 553.16. Derivatively eligible person. Any person who is entitled to interment or inurnment solely based on his or her relationship to a primarily eligible person, as set forth in §§ 553.12(b) and § 553.13(b) respectively. Disinterment. The permanent removal of interred human remains from a particular gravesite. Disinurnment. The permanent removal of remains from a particular niche. Executive Director. The person statutorily charged with exercising authority, direction, and control over all aspects of Army National Military Cemeteries. Federal capital crime. An offense under Federal law for which a sentence of imprisonment for life or the death penalty may be imposed. Former prisoner of war. A person who is eligible for or has been awarded the Prisoner of War Medal. Former spouse. See spouse. Government. The U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities. Group burial. Interment in one gravesite of one or more service members on active duty killed in the same incident or location where: (1) The remains cannot be individually identified; or (2) The person authorized to direct disposition of subsequently identified remains has authorized their interment with the other service members. E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Group remains may contain incidental remains of civilians and foreign nationals. Inactive-duty training. (1) Duty prescribed for members of the Reserve components by the Secretary concerned under 37 U.S.C. 206 or any other provision of law. (2) Special additional duties authorized for members of the Reserve components by an authority designated by the Secretary concerned and performed by them on a voluntary basis in connection with the prescribed training or maintenance activities of the units to which they are assigned. (3) In the case of a member of the Army National Guard or Air National Guard of any State, duty (other than full-time duty) under 32 U.S.C. 316, 502, 503, 504 or 505 or the prior corresponding provisions of law. (4) This term does not include: (i) Work or study performed in connection with correspondence courses, (ii) Attendance at an educational institution in an inactive status, or (iii) Duty performed as a temporary member of the Coast Guard Reserve. Interment. The ground burial of casketed or cremated human remains. Inurnment. The placement of cremated human remains in a niche. Media. Individuals and agencies that print, broadcast, or gather and transmit news, and their reporters, photographers, and employees. Memorial marker. A headstone used to memorialize a service member or veteran whose remains are unavailable for reasons listed in § 553.16. Memorial service or ceremony. Any activity intended to honor the memory of a person or persons interred, inurned, or memorialized in the Army National Military Cemeteries. This term includes private memorial services, public memorial services, public wreath laying ceremonies, and official ceremonies. Minor child. See child. Niche. An aboveground space constructed specifically for the placement of cremated human remains. Official ceremony. A memorial service or ceremony approved by the Executive Director in which the primary participants are representatives of the Government, a State government, a foreign government, or an international organization authorized by the U.S. Department of State to participate in an official capacity. Parent. A natural parent, a stepparent, a parent by adoption, or a person who for a period of not less than one year stood in loco parentis, or was granted legal custody by a court decree or statutory provision. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 Permanently dependent child. See child. Person authorized to direct disposition. The person primarily entitled to direct disposition of human remains and who elects to exercise that entitlement. Determination of such entitlement shall be made in accordance with applicable law and regulations. Personal representative. A person who has legal authority to act on behalf of another through applicable law, order, and regulation. Primarily eligible person. Any person who is entitled to interment or inurnment based on his or her service as specified in § 553.12(a) and § 553.13(a) respectively. Primary next of kin. (1) In the absence of a valid written document from the decedent identifying the primary next of kin, the order of precedence for designating a decedent’s primary next of kin is as follows: (i) Spouse, even if a minor; (ii) Children; (iii) Parents; (iv) Siblings, to include half-blood and those acquired through adoption; (v) Grandparents; (vi) Other next of kin, in order of relationship to the decedent as determined by the laws of the decedent’s state of domicile. (2) Absent a court order or written document from the deceased, the precedence of next of kin with equal relationships to the decedent is governed by seniority (age), older having higher priority than younger. Equal relationship situations include those involving divorced parents of the decedent, children of the decedent, and siblings of the decedent. Private headstones or markers. A headstone or individual memorial marker provided at private expense, in lieu of a headstone or individual memorial marker furnished by the Government. Private memorial service. A memorial service or ceremony conducted at the decedent’s gravesite, memorial headstone, or niche. Public memorial service. A ceremony conducted by members of the public at a historic site in an Army National Military Cemetery. Public wreath-laying ceremony. A ceremony in which members of the public, assisted by the Tomb Guards, present a wreath or similar memento at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Reserve component. The Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the Army National Guard of the United States, and the Air National Guard of the United States. PO 00000 Frm 00027 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65879 Spouse, former spouse, subsequently remarried spouse. (1) Spouse. A person who is legally married to another person. (2) Former spouse. A person who was legally married to another person at one time but was not legally married to that person at the time of one of their deaths. (3) Subsequently remarried spouse. A derivatively eligible spouse who was married to the primarily eligible person at the time of the primarily eligible person’s death and who subsequently remarried another person. State capital crime. Under State law, the willful, deliberate, or premeditated unlawful killing of another human being for which a sentence of imprisonment for life or the death penalty may be imposed. Subsequently recovered remains. Additional remains belonging to the decedent that are recovered or identified after the decedent’s interment or inurnment. Subsequently remarried spouse. See spouse. Unmarried adult child. See child. Veteran. A person who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and who was discharged or released under honorable conditions. § 553.2 Purpose. This part specifies the authorities and assigns the responsibilities for the development, operation, maintenance, and administration of the Army National Military Cemeteries. § 553.3 Statutory authorities. (a) Historical. Act of July 17, 1862, Sec. 18, 12 Stat. 594, 596; Act of February 22, 1867, Ch. 61, 14 Stat. 399; and the National Cemeteries Act of 1973, Public Law 93–43, 87 Stat. 75 (1973). The National Cemeteries Act established the National Cemetery System, which primarily consists of national cemeteries transferred from the management authority of the Department of the Army to the (now) Department of Veterans Affairs. Section 6(a) of the Act exempted Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery from transfer to the National Cemetery System, leaving them under the management authority of the Secretary of the Army. (b) Current. Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4721(a), the Secretary of the Army shall develop, operate, manage, oversee, and fund the Army National Military Cemeteries. Section 4721(c) provides that the Army National Military Cemeteries are under the jurisdiction of Headquarters, Department of the Army, and 10 U.S.C. 4721(d) provides that the E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 65880 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Secretary of the Army shall prescribe such regulations and policies as may be necessary to administer the Army National Military Cemeteries. The responsibilities of Headquarters, Department of the Army with regard to the Army National Military Cemeteries are enumerated in 10 U.S.C. 4721–4726 and Army General Orders 2014–74 and 2014–75. § 553.4 Scope and applicability. (a) Scope. The development, maintenance, administration, and operation of the Army National Military Cemeteries are governed by this part, Army Regulation 290–5, and Department of the Army Pamphlet 290– 5. The development, maintenance, administration, and operation of Army post cemeteries are not covered by this part. (b) Applicability. This part is applicable to all persons on, engaging in business with, or seeking access to or benefits from the Army National Military Cemeteries, unless otherwise specified. § 553.5 Maintaining order. The Executive Director may order the removal from, and bar the re-entry onto, Army National Military Cemeteries of any person who acts in violation of any law or regulation, including but not limited to demonstrations and disturbances as outlined in 38 U.S.C. 2413, and in this part. This authority may not be re-delegated. § 553.6 Standards for managing Army National Military Cemeteries. (a) The Executive Director is responsible for establishing and maintaining cemetery layout plans, including plans setting forth sections with gravesites, memorial areas with markers, and columbaria with niches, and landscape planting plans. (b) New sections or areas may be opened and prepared for interments or for installing memorial markers only with the approval of the Executive Director. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES § 553.7 Arlington Memorial Amphitheater. (a) In accordance with 24 U.S.C. 295a: (1) No memorial may be erected and no remains may be entombed in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater unless specifically authorized by Congress; and (2) The character, design, or location of any memorial authorized by Congress for placement in the Amphitheater is subject to the approval of the Secretary of Defense or his or her designee. (b) The Secretary of Defense or his or her designee will seek the advice of the Commission of Fine Arts in such VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 matters, in accordance with 40 U.S.C. 9102. (c) Tributes offered for those interred in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for placement in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater display room are not memorials for purposes of this section. § 553.8 Permission to install utilities. (a) The installation of utilities in Army National Military Cemeteries, including but not limited to, telephone and fiber optic lines, electric lines, natural gas lines, water pipes, storm drains, and sanitary sewers, must be authorized by the Executive Director. (b) Requests for licenses, permits, or easements to install water, gas, or sewer lines, or other utilities or equipment on or across an Army National Military Cemetery or an approach road in which the Government has a right-of-way, fee simple title, or other interest, must be sent to the Executive Director, who will process the request in accordance with Army policy. Requests must include a complete description of the type of license, permit, or easement desired and a map showing the location of the project. § 553.9 Assignment of gravesites or niches. (a) All eligible persons will be assigned gravesites or niches without discrimination as to race, color, sex, religion, age, or national origin and without preference to military grade or rank. (b) The Army National Military Cemeteries will enforce a one-gravesiteper-family policy. Once the initial interment or inurnment is made in a gravesite or niche, each additional interment or inurnment of eligible persons must be made in the same gravesite or niche, except as noted in paragraph (f) of this section. This includes multiple primarily eligible persons if they are married to each other. (c) In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 2410A(a)(2) the Secretary of the Army may waive the prohibition in paragraph (b) of this section as the Secretary of the Army deems appropriate. (d) A gravesite reservation will be honored if it meets the following requirements, unless it is cancelled by the Executive Director: (1) The gravesite was properly reserved by law before January 1, 1962, and (2) An eligible person was interred in the reserved gravesite prior to January 1, 2017. (e) The Executive Director may cancel a gravesite reservation: PO 00000 Frm 00028 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (1) Upon determination that a derivatively eligible spouse has remarried; (2) Upon determination that the reservee’s remains have been buried elsewhere or otherwise disposed of; (3) Upon determination that the reservee desires to or will be interred in the same gravesite with the predeceased, and doing so is feasible; or (4) Upon determination that the reservee would be 120 years of age and there is no record of correspondence with the reservee within the last two decades. (f) In cases of reservations meeting the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 2410A note, where more than one gravesite was reserved (on the basis of the veteran’s eligibility at the time the reservation was made) and no interment has yet been made in any of the sites, the onegravesite-per-family policy will be enforced, unless waived by the Executive Director. Gravesite reservations will be honored only if the decedents meet the eligibility criteria for interment in Arlington National Cemetery that is in effect at the time of need, and the reserved gravesite is available. (g) Where a primarily eligible person has been or will be interred as part of a group burial or has been or will be memorialized in a memorial area at Arlington National Cemetery, the Executive Director will assign a gravesite or niche for interment or inurnment of a derivatively eligible person. (h) Gravesites or niches shall not be reserved or assigned prior to the time of need. (i) The selection of gravesites and niches is the responsibility of the Executive Director. The selection of specific gravesites or niches by the family or other representatives of the deceased at any time is prohibited. § 553.10 Proof of eligibility. (a) The personal representative or primary next of kin is responsible for providing appropriate documentation to verify the decedent’s eligibility for interment or inurnment. (b) The personal representative or primary next of kin must certify in writing that the decedent is not prohibited from interment, inurnment, or memorialization under § 553.20 because he or she has committed or been convicted of a Federal or State capital crime or is a convicted Tier III sex offender as defined in 38 U.S.C. 2411. (c) For service members who die on active duty, a statement of honorable service from a general court martial E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations convening authority is required. If the certificate of honorable service cannot be granted, the service member is ineligible for interment, inurnment, and memorialization pursuant to § 553.19(i). (d) When applicable, the following documents are required: (1) Death certificate; (2) Proof of eligibility as required by paragraphs (e) through (g) of this section; (3) Any additional documentation to establish the decedent’s eligibility (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, waivers, statements that the decedent had no children); (4) Burial agreement; (5) Notarized statement that the remains are unavailable for the reasons set forth in § 553.16; and (6) A certificate of cremation or notarized statement attesting to the authenticity of the cremated human remains and that 100% of the cremated remains received from the crematorium are present. The Executive Director may, however, allow a portion of the cremated remains to be removed by the crematorium for the sole purpose of producing commemorative items. (7) Any other document as required by the Executive Director. (e) The following documents may be used to establish the eligibility of a primarily eligible person: (1) DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty; (2) WD AGO 53 or 53–55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation Honorable Discharge; (3) WD AGO 53–98, Military Record and Report of Separation Certificate of Service; (4) NAVPERS–553, Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service; (5) NAVMC 70–PD, Honorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps; or; (6) DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty (required in the case of death of an active duty service member). (f) In addition to the documents otherwise required by this section, a request for interment or inurnment of a subsequently remarried spouse must be accompanied by: (1) A notarized statement from the new spouse of the subsequently remarried spouse agreeing to the interment or inurnment and relinquishing any claim for interment or inurnment in the same gravesite or niche. (2) Notarized statement(s) from all of the children from the prior marriage agreeing to the interment or inurnment of their parents in the same gravesite or niche. (g) In addition to the documents otherwise required by this section, a VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 request for interment or inurnment of a permanently dependent child must be accompanied by: (1) A notarized statement as to the marital status and degree of dependency of the decedent from an individual with direct knowledge; and (2) A physician’s statement regarding the nature and duration of the physical or mental disability; and (3) A statement from someone with direct knowledge demonstrating the following factors: (i) The deceased lived most of his or her adult life with one or both parents, one or both of whom are otherwise eligible for interment; (ii) The decedent’s children, siblings, or other family members, other than the eligible parent, waive any derivative claim to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, in accordance with the Arlington National Cemetery Burial Agreement. (h) Veterans or primary next of kin of deceased veterans may obtain copies of their military records by writing to the National Personnel Records Center, Attention: Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue St. Louis, Missouri 63132 or using their Web site. All others may request a record by completing and submitting Standard Form 180. (i) The burden of proving eligibility lies with the party who requests the burial. The Executive Director will determine whether the submitted evidence is sufficient to support a finding of eligibility. § 553.11 General rules governing eligibility for interment, inurnment, and memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery. (a) Only those persons who meet the criteria of § 553.12 or are granted an exception to policy pursuant to § 553.22 may be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. Only those persons who meet the criteria of § 553.13 or are granted an exception to policy pursuant to § 553.22 may be inurned in Arlington National Cemetery. Only those persons who meet the criteria of § 553.14 may be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area. Only those persons who meet the criteria of § 553.15 may be interred in an Arlington National Cemetery group burial. Only those persons who meet the criteria of § 553.16 may be memorialized in Arlington National Cemetery. (b) Derivative eligibility for interment or inurnment may be established only through a decedent’s connection to a primarily eligible person and not to another derivatively eligible person. (c) No veteran is eligible for interment, inurnment, or PO 00000 Frm 00029 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65881 memorialization in Arlington National Cemetery unless the veteran’s last period of active duty ended with an honorable discharge. A general discharge under honorable conditions is not sufficient for interment, inurnment or memorialization in Arlington National Cemetery. (d) For purposes of determining whether a service member has received an honorable discharge, final determinations regarding discharges made in accordance with procedures established by chapter 79 of title 10, United States Code, will be considered authoritative. (e) The Secretary of the Army has the authority to act on requests for exceptions to the provisions of the interment, inurnment, and memorialization eligibility policies contained in this part. The Secretary of the Army may delegate this authority to the Executive Director on such terms deemed appropriate. (f) Individuals who do not qualify as a primarily eligible person or a derivatively eligible person, but who are granted an exception to policy to be interred or inurned pursuant to § 553.22 in a new gravesite or niche, will be treated as a primarily eligible person for purposes of this part. (g) Notwithstanding any other section in this part, memorialization with an individual memorial marker, interment, or inurnment in the Army National Military Cemeteries is prohibited if there is a gravesite, niche, or individual memorial marker for the decedent in any other Government-operated cemetery or the Government has provided an individual grave marker, individual memorial marker or niche cover for placement in a private cemetery. § 553.12 Eligibility for interment in Arlington National Cemetery. Only those who qualify as a primarily eligible person or a derivatively eligible person are eligible for interment in Arlington National Cemetery, unless otherwise prohibited as provided for in §§ 553.19–553.20, provided that the last period of active duty of the service member or veteran ended with an honorable discharge. (a) Primarily eligible persons. The following are primarily eligible persons for purposes of interment: (1) Any service member who dies on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces (except those service members serving on active duty for training only), if the General Courts Martial Convening Authority grants a certificate of honorable service. E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES 65882 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations (2) Any veteran retired from a Reserve component who served a period of active duty (other than for training), is carried on the official retired list, and is entitled to receive military retired pay. (3) Any veteran retired from active military service and entitled to receive military retired pay. (4) Any veteran who received an honorable discharge from the Armed Forces prior to October 1, 1949, who was discharged for a permanent physical disability, who served on active duty (other than for training), and who would have been eligible for retirement under the provisions of 10 U.S.C. 1201 had the statute been in effect on the date of separation. (5) Any veteran awarded one of the following decorations: (i) Medal of Honor; (ii) Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, or Navy Cross; (iii) Distinguished Service Medal; (iv) Silver Star; or (v) Purple Heart. (6) Any veteran who served on active duty (other than active duty for training) and who held any of the following positions: (i) President or Vice President of the United States; (ii) Elected member of the U.S. Congress; (iii) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States or Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States; (iv) A position listed, at the time the person held the position, in 5 U.S.C. 5312 or 5313 (Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule); or (v) Chief of Mission of a Category 4, 5, or 5+ post if the Department of State classified that post as a Category 4, 5, or 5+ post during the person’s tenure as Chief of Mission. (7) Any former prisoner of war who, while a prisoner of war, served honorably in the active military service, and who died on or after November 30, 1993. (b) Derivatively eligible persons. The following individuals are derivatively eligible persons for purposes of interment who may be interred if space is available in the gravesite of the primarily eligible person: (1) The spouse of a primarily eligible person who is or will be interred in Arlington National Cemetery. A former spouse of a primarily eligible person is not eligible for interment in Arlington National Cemetery under this paragraph. (2) The spouse of an active duty service member or an eligible veteran, who was: (i) Lost or buried at sea, temporarily interred overseas due to action by the VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 Government, or officially determined to be missing in action; (ii) Buried in a U.S. military cemetery maintained by the American Battle Monuments Commission; or (iii) Interred in Arlington National Cemetery as part of a group burial (the derivatively eligible spouse may not be buried in the group burial gravesite). (3) The parents of a minor child or a permanently dependent adult child, whose remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery based on the eligibility of a parent at the time of the child’s death, unless eligibility of the non-service connected parent is lost through divorce from the primarily eligible parent. (4) An honorably discharged veteran who does not qualify as a primarily eligible person, if the veteran will be buried in the same gravesite as an already interred primarily eligible person who is a close relative, where the interment meets the following conditions: (i) The veteran is without minor or unmarried adult dependent children; (ii) The veteran will not occupy space reserved for the spouse, a minor child, or a permanently dependent adult child; (iii) All other close relatives of the primarily eligible person concur with the interment of the veteran with the primarily eligible person by signing a notarized statement; (iv) The veteran’s spouse waives any entitlement to interment in Arlington National Cemetery, where such entitlement might be based on the veteran’s interment in Arlington National Cemetery. The Executive Director may set aside the spouse’s waiver, provided space is available in the same gravesite, and all close relatives of the primarily eligible person concur; (v) Any cost of moving, recasketing, or revaulting the remains will be paid from private funds; and § 553.13 Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium. The following persons are eligible for inurnment in the Arlington National Cemetery Columbarium, unless otherwise prohibited as provided for in §§ 553.19–553.20, provided that the last period of active duty of the service member or veteran ended with an honorable discharge. (a) Primarily eligible persons. The following are primarily eligible persons for purposes of inurnment: (1) Any person eligible for interment in Arlington National Cemetery, as provided for in § 553.12(a). (2) Any veteran who served on active duty other than active duty for training. PO 00000 Frm 00030 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (3) Any member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces who dies while: (i) On active duty for training or performing full-time duty under title 32, United States Code; (ii) Performing authorized travel to or from such active duty for training or full-time duty; (iii) On authorized inactive-duty training, including training performed as a member of the Army National Guard of the United States or the Air National Guard of the United States; or (iv) Hospitalized or receiving treatment at the expense of the Government for an injury or disease incurred or contracted while on such active duty for training or full-time duty, traveling to or from such active duty for training or full-time duty, or on inactive-duty training. (4) Any member of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps of the United States, Army, Navy, or Air Force, whose death occurs while: (i) Attending an authorized training camp or cruise; (ii) Performing authorized travel to or from that camp or cruise; or (iii) Hospitalized or receiving treatment at the expense of the Government for injury or disease incurred or contracted while attending such camp or cruise or while traveling to or from such camp or cruise. (5) Any citizen of the United States who, during any war in which the United States has been or may hereafter be engaged, served in the armed forces of any government allied with the United States during that war, whose last service ended honorably by death or otherwise, and who was a citizen of the United States at the time of entry into that service and at the time of death. (6) Commissioned officers, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (now National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) who die during or subsequent to the service specified in the following categories and whose last service terminated honorably: (i) Assignment to areas of immediate military hazard. (ii) Served in the Philippine Islands on December 7, 1941. (iii) Transferred to the Department of the Army or the Department of the Navy under certain statutes. (7) Any commissioned officer of the United States Public Health Service who served on full-time duty on or after July 29, 1945, if the service falls within the meaning of active duty for training as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(22) or inactive duty training as defined in 38 U.S.C. 101(23) and whose death resulted from a disease or injury incurred or E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations aggravated in line of duty. Also, any commissioned officer of the Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service who performed active service prior to July 29, 1945 in time of war; on detail for duty with the Armed Forces; or while the service was part of the military forces of the United States pursuant to Executive order of the President. (8) Any Active Duty Designee as defined in this part. (b) Derivatively eligible persons. Those connected to an individual described in paragraph (a) of this section through a relationship described in § 553.12(b). Such individuals may be inurned if space is available in the primarily eligible person’s niche. § 553.14 Eligibility for interment of cremated remains in the Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area. (a) The cremated remains of any person eligible for interment in Arlington National Cemetery as described in § 553.12 may be interred in the designated Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area. (b) Cremated remains must be interred in a biodegradable container or placed directly into the ground without a container. Cremated remains are not authorized to be scattered at this site or at any location within Arlington National Cemetery. (c) There will be no headstone or marker for any person choosing this method of interment. A permanent register will be maintained by the Executive Director. (d) Consistent with the one-gravesiteper-family policy, once a person is interred in the Unmarked Area, any derivatively eligible persons and spouses must be interred in this manner. This includes spouses who are also primarily eligible persons. No additional gravesite, niche, or memorial marker in a memorial area will be authorized. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES § 553.15 Eligibility for group burial in Arlington National Cemetery. (a) The Executive Director may authorize a group burial in Arlington National Cemetery whenever several people, at least one of whom is an active duty service member, die during a military-related activity and not all remains can be individually identified. (b) Before authorizing a group burial that includes both United States and foreign decedents, the Executive Director will notify the Department of State and request that the Department of State notify the appropriate foreign embassy. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 § 553.16 Eligibility for memorialization in an Arlington National Cemetery memorial area. (a) With the authority granted by 38 U.S.C. 2409, a memorial marker may be placed in an Arlington National Cemetery memorial area to honor the memory of service members or veterans, who are eligible for interment under § 553.12(a) and: (1) Who are missing in action; (2) Whose remains have not been recovered or identified; (3) Whose remains were buried at sea, whether by the member’s or veteran’s own choice or otherwise; (4) Whose remains were donated to science; or (5) Whose remains were cremated and the cremated remains were scattered without interment or inurnment of any portion of those remains. (b) When the remains of a primarily eligible person are unavailable for one of the reasons listed in paragraph (a) of this section, and a derivatively eligible person who predeceased the primarily eligible person is already interred or inurned in Arlington National Cemetery, the primarily eligible person may be memorialized only on the existing headstone or on a replacement headstone, ordered with a new inscription. Consistent with the onegravesite-per-family policy, a separate marker in a memorial area is not authorized. (c) When a memorial marker for a primarily eligible person is already in place in a memorial area, and a derivatively eligible person is subsequently interred or inurned in Arlington National Cemetery, an inscription memorializing the primarily eligible person will be placed on the new headstone or niche cover. Consistent with the one-gravesite-perfamily policy, the memorial marker will then be removed from the memorial area. § 553.17 Arlington National Cemetery interment/inurnment agreement. (a) A derivatively eligible person who predeceases the primarily eligible person may be interred or inurned in Arlington National Cemetery only if the primarily eligible person agrees in writing to be interred in the same gravesite or inurned in the same niche at his or her time of need and that his or her estate shall pay for all expenses related to disinterment or disinurnment of the predeceased person from Arlington National Cemetery if the primarily eligible person is not interred or inurned as agreed. (b) If the primarily eligible person becomes ineligible for interment or PO 00000 Frm 00031 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65883 inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery or the personal representative or primary next of kin decides that the primarily eligible person will be interred or inurned elsewhere, the remains of any predeceased person may be removed from Arlington National Cemetery at no cost to the Government. § 553.18 Eligibility for burial in U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. Only the residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home are eligible for interment in the U.S. Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery. Resident eligibility criteria for the Armed Forces Retirement Home is provided for at 24 U.S.C. 412. § 553.19 Ineligibility for interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery. The following persons are not eligible for interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery: (a) A father, mother, brother, sister, or in-law solely on the basis of his or her relationship to a primarily eligible person, even though the individual is: (1) Dependent on the primarily eligible person for support; or (2) A member of the primarily eligible person’s household. (b) A person whose last period of service was not characterized as an honorable discharge (e.g., a separation or discharge under general but honorable conditions, other than honorable conditions, a bad conduct discharge, a dishonorable discharge, or a dismissal), regardless of whether the person: (1) Received any other veterans’ benefits; or (2) Was treated at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or died in such a hospital. (c) A person who has volunteered for service with the U.S. Armed Forces, but has not yet entered on active duty. (d) A former spouse whose marriage to the primarily eligible person ended in divorce. (e) A spouse who predeceases the primarily eligible person and is interred or inurned in a location other than Arlington National Cemetery, and the primarily eligible person remarries. (f) A divorced spouse of a primarily eligible person. (g) Otherwise derivatively eligible persons, such as a spouse or minor child, if the primarily eligible person was not or will not be interred or inurned at Arlington National Cemetery. (h) A service member who dies while on active duty, if the first General E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 65884 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Courts Martial Convening Authority in the service member’s chain of command determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the service member engaged in conduct that would have resulted in a separation or discharge not characterized as an honorable discharge (e.g., a separation or discharge under general but honorable conditions, other than honorable conditions, a bad conduct discharge, a dishonorable discharge, or a dismissal) being imposed, but for the death of the service member. (i) Animal remains. If animal remains are unintentionally commingled with human remains due to a natural disaster, unforeseen accident, act of war or terrorism, violent explosion, or similar incident, and such remains cannot be separated from the remains of an eligible person, then the remains may be interred or inurned with the eligible person, but the identity of the animal remains shall not be inscribed or identified on a niche, marker, headstone, or otherwise. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES § 553.20 Prohibition of interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery of persons who have committed certain crimes. (a) Prohibition. Notwithstanding §§ 553.12–553.16, 553.18, and 553.22, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 985 and 38 U.S.C. 2411, the interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery of any of the following persons is prohibited: (1) Any person identified in writing to the Executive Director by the Attorney General of the United States, prior to his or her interment, inurnment, or memorialization, as a person who has been convicted of a Federal capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the President). (2) Any person identified in writing to the Executive Director by an appropriate State official, prior to his or her interment, inurnment, or memorialization, as a person who has been convicted of a State capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the Governor of the State). (3) Any person found under procedures specified in § 553.21 to have committed a Federal or State capital crime but who has not been convicted of such crime by reason of such person not being available for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution. Notice from officials is not required for this prohibition to apply. (4) Any person identified in writing to the Executive Director by the Attorney General of the United States or by an VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 appropriate State official, prior to his or her interment, inurnment, or memorialization, as a person who has been convicted of a Federal or State crime causing the person to be a Tier III sex offender for purposes of the Sex Offender Registration and Notification Act, who for such crime is sentenced to a minimum of life imprisonment and whose conviction is final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the President or the Governor of a State, as the case may be). (b) Notice. The Executive Director is designated as the Secretary of the Army’s representative authorized to receive from the appropriate Federal or State officials notification of conviction of capital crimes referred to in this section. (c) Confirmation of person’s eligibility. (1) If notice has not been received, but the Executive Director has reason to believe that the person may have been convicted of a Federal capital crime or a State capital crime, the Executive Director shall seek written confirmation from: (i) The Attorney General of the United States, with respect to a suspected Federal capital crime; or (ii) An appropriate State official, with respect to a suspected State capital crime. (2) The Executive Director will defer the decision on whether to inter, inurn, or memorialize a decedent until a written response is received. § 553.21 Findings concerning the commission of certain crimes where a person has not been convicted due to death or flight to avoid prosecution. (a) Preliminary inquiry. If the Executive Director has reason to believe that a decedent may have committed a Federal capital crime or a State capital crime but has not been convicted of such crime by reason of such person not being available for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution, the Executive Director shall submit the issue to the Army General Counsel. The Army General Counsel or his or her designee shall initiate a preliminary inquiry seeking information from Federal, State, or local law enforcement officials, or other sources of potentially relevant information. (b) Decision after preliminary inquiry. If, after conducting the preliminary inquiry described in paragraph (a) of this section, the Army General Counsel or designee determines that credible evidence exists suggesting the decedent may have committed a Federal capital crime or State capital crime, then further proceedings under this section are warranted to determine whether the PO 00000 Frm 00032 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 decedent committed such crime. Consequently the Army General Counsel or his or her designee shall present the personal representative with a written notification of such preliminary determination and a dated, written notice of the personal representative’s procedural options. (c) Notice and procedural options. The notice of procedural options shall indicate that, within fifteen days, the personal representative may: (1) Request a hearing; (2) Withdraw the request for interment, inurnment, or memorialization; or (3) Do nothing, in which case the request for interment, inurnment, or memorialization will be considered to have been withdrawn. (d) Time computation. The fifteen-day time period begins on the calendar day immediately following the earlier of the day the notice of procedural options is delivered in person to the personal representative or is sent by U.S. registered mail or, if available, by electronic means to the personal representative. It ends at midnight on the fifteenth day. The period includes weekends and holidays. (e) Hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to allow the personal representative to present additional information regarding whether the decedent committed a Federal capital crime or a State capital crime. In lieu of making a personal appearance at the hearing, the personal representative may submit relevant documents for consideration. (1) If a hearing is requested, the Army General Counsel or his or her designee shall conduct the hearing. (2) The hearing shall be conducted in an informal manner. (3) The rules of evidence shall not apply. (4) The personal representative and witnesses may appear, at no expense to the Government, and shall, in the discretion of the Army General Counsel or his or her designee, testify under oath. Oaths must be administered by a person who possesses the legal authority to administer oaths. (5) The Army General Counsel or designee shall consider any and all relevant information obtained. (6) The hearing shall be appropriately recorded. Upon request, a copy of the record shall be provided to the personal representative. (f) Final determination. After considering the opinion of the Army General Counsel or his or her designee, and any additional information submitted by the personal representative, the Secretary of the E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations Army or his or her designee shall determine the decedent’s eligibility for interment, inurnment, or memorialization. This determination is final and not appealable. (1) The determination shall be based on evidence that supports or undermines a conclusion that the decedent’s actions satisfied the elements of the crime as established by the law of the jurisdiction in which the decedent would have been prosecuted. (2) If an affirmative defense is offered by the decedent’s personal representative, a determination as to whether the defense was met shall be made according to the law of the jurisdiction in which the decedent would have been prosecuted. (3) Mitigating evidence shall not be considered. (4) The opinion of the local, State, or Federal prosecutor as to whether he or she would have brought charges against the decedent had the decedent been available is relevant but not binding and shall be given no more weight than other facts presented. (g) Notice of decision. The Executive Director shall provide written notification of the Secretary’s decision to the personal representative. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES § 553.22 Exceptions to policies for interment, inurnment, or memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery. (a) As a national military cemetery, eligibility standards for interment, inurnment, or memorialization are based on honorable military service. Exceptions to the eligibility standards for new graves are rarely granted. When granted, exceptions are for those persons who have made significant contributions that directly and substantially benefited the U.S. military. (b) Requests for an exception to the interment or inurnment eligibility policies shall be considered only after the individual’s death. (c) Requests for an exception to the interment or inurnment eligibility policies shall be submitted to the Executive Director and shall include any documents required by the Executive Director. (d) The primary next of kin is responsible for providing and certifying the authenticity of all documents and swearing to the accuracy of the accounting provided to support the request for exception to the interment or inurnment eligibility policies. (e) Disapproved requests will be reconsidered only when the personal representative or next of kin submits new and substantive information not previously considered by the Secretary of the Army. Requests for VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 reconsideration shall be submitted directly to the Executive Director. Requests for reconsideration not supported by new and substantive information will be denied by the Executive Director after review and advice from the Army General Counsel or his or her designee. The Executive Director shall notify the personal representative or next of kin of the decision of the reconsideration. The decision by the Secretary of the Army or the Executive Director, as the case may be, is final and not appealable. (f) Under no circumstances, will exceptions to policies be considered or granted for those individuals prohibited from interment by virtue of § 553.20 or § 553.21. § 553.23 Placement of cremated remains at Army National Military Cemeteries. All cremated remains shall be interred or inurned. The scattering of cremated remains and the burial of symbolic containers are prohibited in Army National Military Cemeteries. § 553.24 Subsequently recovered remains. Subsequently recovered identified remains of a decedent shall be reunited in one gravesite or urn, or as part of a group burial either in an Army National Military Cemetery or other cemetery. Subsequently recovered identified remains may also be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of Remembrance. Unidentified remains (which may or may not be comingled) may also be interred in the Arlington National Cemetery Tomb of Remembrance. § 553.25 Disinterments and disinurnments of remains. (a) Interments and inurnments in Army National Military Cemeteries are considered permanent. (b) Requests for disinterment or disinurnment of individually buried or inurned remains are considered requests for exceptions to this policy, and must be addressed to the Executive Director for decision. The request must include: (1) A full statement of the reasons for the disinterment or disinurnment of the remains from the personal representative or primary next of kin who directed the original interment or inurnment if still living, or if not, the current personal representative or primary next of kin; (2) A notarized statement from each living close relative of the decedent that he or she does not object to the proposed disinterment or disinurnment; and (3) A notarized statement by a person who has personal knowledge of the PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65885 decedent’s relatives stating that the persons giving statements comprise all of the decedent’s living close relatives. (4) An appropriate funding source for the disinterment or disinurnment, as disinterments and disinurnments of individually buried or inurned remains must be accomplished without expense to the Government. (c) The Executive Director shall carry out disinterments and disinurnments directed by a court of competent jurisdiction upon presentation of a lawful, original court order and after consulting with the Army General Counsel or his or her designee. (d) Remains interred in a group burial may be disinterred only if, after the completion of identification processing of any subsequently recovered remains, each decedent’s remains have not been individually identified and it is determined that available technology is likely to assist in the identification process of the previously interred group remains. Requests for disinterment of group remains must be addressed to the Executive Director by the appropriate Military Department’s Secretary or his or her designee for decision. The request must include: (1) A statement from the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command certifying that subsequent to the interment or inurnment of the decedents, remains have been recovered from the site of the casualty incident, and that the remains of each individual U.S. citizen, legal resident, or former service member have not been previously identified from either the remains originally recovered or from the subsequently recovered portions. (2) Sufficient circumstantial and anatomical evidence from the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, which when combined with contemporary forensic or other scientific techniques, would lead to a high probability of individual identification of the interred group remains. (3) Copies of the Military Department’s notification to all the living close relatives of the decedents advising them of the proposed disinterment. (4) A time period identified by the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command during which it proposes to perform forensic or scientific techniques for individual identification processing. (5) An anticipated time period as to when the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command will return any unidentified remains to Arlington National Cemetery or will E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 65886 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations notify the cemetery that individual identifications of the group remains are complete and no remains will be returned. (e) Disinterment or disinurnment is not permitted for the sole purpose of splitting remains or permanently keeping any portion of the remains in a location other than Arlington National Cemetery. (f) Disinterment of previously designated group remains for the sole purpose of individually segregating the group remains is not permitted unless the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section are met. § 553.26 Design of Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers. (a) Headstones and memorial markers shall be white marble in an upright slab design. Flat-type granite markers may be used, at the Executive Director’s discretion, when the terrain or other obstruction precludes use of an upright marble headstone or memorial marker. (b) Niche covers shall be white marble. (c) The Executive Director shall approve the design of headstones and memorial markers erected for group burials, consistent with the policies of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. § 553.27 Inscriptions on Governmentfurnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES (a) Inscriptions on Governmentfurnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers will be made according to the policies and specifications of the Secretary of the Army, consistent with the policies of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs. (b) No grades, titles, or ranks other than military grades granted pursuant to title 10, United States Code, will be engraved on Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers. Honorary grades, titles, or ranks granted by States, governors, and others shall not be inscribed on headstones, niche covers, or memorial markers. (c) Memorial markers must include the words ‘‘In Memory of’’ preceding the inscription. (d) The words ‘‘In Memory of’’ shall not precede the inscription of a decedent whose remains are interred or inurned. § 553.28 Private headstones and markers. (a) Construction and installation of private headstones and markers in lieu of Government-furnished headstones and markers is permitted only in sections of Army National Military Cemeteries in which private memorials VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 and markers were authorized as of January 1, 1947. These headstones or markers must be of simple design, dignified, and appropriate for a military cemetery as determined by the Executive Director. (b) The design and inscription of a private headstone or marker must be approved by the Executive Director prior to its construction and placement. All private headstones and markers will be designed to conform to the dimensions and profiles specified by the Executive Director and will be inscribed with the location of the gravesite. (c) Placement of a private headstone or marker is conditional upon the primary next of kin agreeing in writing to maintain it in a manner acceptable to the Government. Should the headstone or marker become unserviceable at any time and the primary next of kin fail to repair or replace it, or if the marker is not updated to reflect all persons buried in that gravesite within 6 months of the most recent burial, the Executive Director reserves the right to remove and dispose of the headstone or marker and replace it with a standard, Government-furnished headstone or marker. (d) The construction of a headstone or marker to span two gravesites will be permitted only in those sections in which headstones and markers are presently spanning two gravesites and only with the express understanding that in the event both gravesites are not utilized for burials, the headstone or marker will be relocated to the center of the occupied gravesite, if possible. Such relocation must be accomplished at no expense to the Government. The Executive Director reserves the right to remove and dispose of the headstone or marker and to mark the gravesite with a Government-furnished headstone or marker if the personal representative or primary next of kin fails to relocate the headstone or marker as requested by the Executive Director. (e) Separate headstones or markers may be constructed on a lot (two gravesites) for a service member and spouse, provided that each headstone or marker is set at the head of the gravesite after interment has been made. (f) At the time a headstone or marker is purchased, arrangements must be made with an appropriate commercial firm to ensure that additional inscriptions will be promptly inscribed following each succeeding interment in the gravesite. Foot markers must be authorized by the Executive Director and may only be authorized when there is no available space for an inscription on the front or rear of a private headstone. PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 (g) Except as may be authorized for marking group burials, ledger monuments of freestanding cross design, narrow shafts, and mausoleums are prohibited. § 553.29 Permission to construct private headstones and markers. (a) Headstone firms must receive permission from the Executive Director to construct a private headstone or marker for use in Army National Military Cemeteries or to add an inscription to an existing headstone or marker in an Army National Military Cemetery. (b) Requests for permission must be submitted to the Executive Director and must include: (1) Written consent from the personal representative or primary next of kin; (2) Contact information for both the personal representative or primary next of kin and the headstone firm; and (3) A scale drawing (no less than 1:12) showing all dimensions, or a reproduction showing detailed specifications of design and proposed construction material, finishing, carving, lettering, exact inscription to appear on the headstone or marker, and a trademark or copyright designation. (c) The Army does not endorse headstone firms but grants permission for the construction of headstones or markers in individual cases. (d) When using sandblast equipment to add an inscription to an existing headstone or marker, headstone firms shall restore the surrounding grounds in a timely manner as determined by the Executive Director to the condition of the grounds before work began and at no expense to the Government. § 553.30 Inscriptions on private headstones and markers. An appropriate inscription for the decedent will be placed on the headstone or marker in accordance with the dimensions of the stone and arranged in such a manner as to enhance the appearance of the stone. Additional inscriptions may be inscribed following each succeeding interment in the gravesite. All inscriptions will be in accordance with policies established by the Executive Director. § 553.31 Memorial and commemorative monuments (other than private headstones or markers). The placement of memorials or commemorative monuments in Arlington National Cemetery will be carried out in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 2409(b). E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations § 553.32 Conduct of memorial services and ceremonies. (a) The Executive Director shall ensure the sanctity of public and private memorial and ceremonial events. (b) All memorial services and ceremonies within Army National Military Cemeteries, other than official ceremonies, shall be purely memorial in purpose and may be dedicated only to: (1) The memory of all those interred, inurned, or memorialized in Army National Military Cemeteries; (2) The memory of all those who died in the military service of the United States while serving during a particular conflict or while serving in a particular military unit or units; or (3) The memory of the individual or individuals to be interred, inurned, or memorialized at the particular site at which the service or ceremony is held. (c) Memorial services and ceremonies at Army National Military Cemeteries will not include partisan political activities. (d) Private memorial services may be closed to the media and public as determined by the decedent’s primary next of kin. (e) Public memorial services and public wreath-laying ceremonies shall be open to all members of the public to observe. mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES § 553.33 Visitors rules for Army National Military Cemeteries. (a) Visiting hours. Visiting hours shall be established by the Executive Director and posted in conspicuous places. No visitor is permitted to enter or remain in an Army National Military Cemetery outside the established visiting hours. (b) Destruction or removal of property. No person shall destroy, damage, mutilate, alter, or remove any monument, gravestone, niche cover, structure, tree, shrub, plant, or other property located within an Army National Military Cemetery. (c) Conduct within Army National Military Cemeteries. Army National Military Cemeteries are a national shrine to the honored dead of the Armed Forces, and certain acts and activities, which may be appropriate elsewhere, are not appropriate in Army National Military Cemeteries. All visitors, including persons attending or taking part in memorial services and ceremonies, shall observe proper standards of decorum and decency while in an Army National Military Cemetery. Specifically, no person shall: (1) Conduct any memorial service or ceremony within an Army National Military Cemetery without the prior approval of the Executive Director. (2) Engage in demonstrations prohibited by 38 U.S.C. 2413. VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 (3) Engage in any orations, speeches, or similar conduct to assembled groups of people, unless such actions are part of a memorial service or ceremony authorized by the Executive Director. (4) Display any placards, banners, flags, or similar devices within an Army National Military Cemetery, unless first approved by the Executive Director for use in an authorized memorial service or ceremony. This rule does not apply to clothing worn by visitors. (5) Distribute any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet, or other written or printed matter within an Army National Military Cemetery, except a program approved by the Executive Director to be provided to attendees of an authorized memorial service or ceremony. (6) Bring a dog, cat, or other animal (other than a service animal or military working dog) within an Army National Military Cemetery. This prohibition does not apply to persons living in quarters located on the grounds of the Army National Military Cemeteries. (7) Use the cemetery grounds for recreational activities (e.g., physical exercise, running, jogging, sports, or picnics). (8) Ride a bicycle or similar conveyance in an Army National Military Cemetery, except with a proper pass issued by the Executive Director to visit a gravesite or niche. An individual visiting a relative’s gravesite or niche may be issued a temporary pass by the Executive Director to proceed directly to and from the gravesite or niche on a bicycle or similar vehicle or conveyance. (9) Operate a musical instrument, a loudspeaker, or an audio device without a headset within an Army National Military Cemetery. (10) Drive any motor vehicle within an Army National Military Cemetery in excess of the posted speed limit. (11) Park any motor vehicle in any area of an Army National Military Cemetery designated as a no-parking area. (12) Leave any vehicle in the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors’ Center parking area or Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery visitors’ parking area more than thirty minutes outside of established visiting hours or anywhere else in an Army National Military Cemetery outside of established visiting hours. (13) Consume or serve alcoholic beverages without prior written permission from the Executive Director. (14) Possess firearms without prior written permission from the Executive Director. This prohibition does not apply to law enforcement and military PO 00000 Frm 00035 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 4700 65887 personnel in the performance of their official duties. In accordance with locally established policy, military and law enforcement personnel may be required to obtain advance permission from the Executive Director of the Army National Military Cemeteries prior to possessing firearms on the property of an Army National Military Cemetery. (15) Deposit or throw litter or trash on the grounds of the Army National Military Cemeteries. (16) Engage in any disrespectful or disorderly conduct within an Army National Military Cemetery. (d) Vehicular traffic. All visitors, including persons attending or taking part in memorial services and ceremonies, will observe the following rules concerning motor vehicle traffic within Arlington National Cemetery: (1) Visitors arriving by car and not entitled to a vehicle pass pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section are required to park their vehicles in the Visitors’ Center parking area or at a location outside of the cemetery. (2) Only the following categories of vehicles may be permitted access to Arlington National Cemetery roadways and issued a permanent or temporary pass from the Executive Director: (i) Official Government vehicles being used on official Government business. (ii) Vehicles carrying persons on official Cemetery business. (iii) Vehicles forming part of an authorized funeral procession and authorized to be part of that procession. (iv) Vehicles carrying persons visiting the Arlington National Cemetery gravesites, niches, or memorial areas of relatives or loved ones interred, inurned, or memorialized within Arlington National Cemetery. (v) Arlington National Cemetery and National Park Service maintenance vehicles. (vi) Vehicles of contractors who are authorized to perform work within Arlington National Cemetery. (vii) Concessionaire tour buses authorized by the Executive Director to operate in Arlington National Cemetery. (viii) Vehicles of employees of ANMC as authorized by the Executive Director. § 553.34 Soliciting and vending. The display or distribution of commercial advertising to or solicitation of business from the public is strictly prohibited within an Army National Military Cemetery, except as authorized by the Executive Director. § 553.35 Media. All officials and staff of the media are subject to the Visitors Rules enumerated E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1 65888 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 186 / Monday, September 26, 2016 / Rules and Regulations in § 553.33 and shall comply with the Department of the Army’s media policy. [FR Doc. 2016–23087 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 5001–03–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117 [Docket No. USCG–2016–0894] Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Sacramento River, Sacramento, CA Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulation. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the Tower Drawbridge across the Sacramento River, mile 59.0, at Sacramento, CA. The deviation is necessary to allow the community to participate in the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) One Walk event. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-tonavigation position during the deviation period. DATES: This deviation is effective from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 2, 2016. ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG–2016–0894], is available at https://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH’’. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email David H. Sulouff, Chief, Bridge Section, Eleventh Coast Guard District; telephone 510– 437–3516, email David.H.Sulouff@ uscg.mil. SUMMARY: California Department of Transportation has requested a temporary change to the operation of the Tower Drawbridge, mile 59.0, over Sacramento River, at Sacramento, CA. The vertical lift bridge navigation span provides a vertical clearance of 30 feet above Mean High Water in the closed-to-navigation position. The draw operates as required by 33 CFR 117.189(a). Navigation on the waterway is commercial and recreational. The drawspan will be secured in the closed-to-navigation position from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on October 2, 2016, to allow the community to participate in the JDRF One Walk event. This mstockstill on DSK3G9T082PROD with RULES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 20:07 Sep 23, 2016 Jkt 238001 temporary deviation has been coordinated with the waterway users. No objections to the proposed temporary deviation were raised. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at anytime. The bridge will not be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels to pass. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. Dated: September 21, 2016. D.H. Sulouff, District Bridge Chief, Eleventh Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2016–23211 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Coast Guard 33 CFR Part 117 [Docket No. USCG–2016–0892] Drawbridge Operation Regulation; Rancocas Creek, Burlington, NJ Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of deviation from drawbridge regulations. AGENCY: ACTION: The Coast Guard has issued a temporary deviation from the operating schedule that governs the RiversideDelanco/S.R. 543 Bridge across the Rancocas Creek, mile 1.3, at Burlington, NJ. The deviation is necessary to facilitate repairs to the bridge fender system. This deviation allows the bridge to remain in the closed-to-navigation position. SUMMARY: The deviation is effective from 7 a.m. on Monday, October 3, 2016, to 3:30 p.m. on Monday, October 31, 2016. ADDRESSES: The docket for this deviation, [USCG–2016–0892] is available at https://www.regulations.gov. Type the docket number in the ‘‘SEARCH’’ box and click ‘‘SEARCH’’. Click on Open Docket Folder on the line associated with this deviation. DATES: PO 00000 Frm 00036 Fmt 4700 Sfmt 9990 If you have questions on this temporary deviation, call or email Mr. Mickey Sanders, Bridge Administration Branch Fifth District, Coast Guard, telephone 757–398–6587, email Mickey.D.Sanders2@uscg.mil. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: The Burlington County Bridge Commission, who owns and operates the RiversideDelanco/S.R. 543 Bridge, across the Rancocas Creek, mile 1.3, at Burlington, NJ, has requested a temporary deviation from the current operating regulations set out in 33 CFR 117.745, to repair the bridge fender system. Under this temporary deviation, the bridge will remain in the closed-tonavigation position and will open on signal, if at least one hour notice is given, Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., from October 3, 2016, through October 31, 2016. At all other times the bridge will operate per 33 CFR 117.745(b). The bridge is a swing bridge and has a vertical clearance in the closed-to-navigation position of 4 feet above mean high water. Rancocas Creek is mostly used by recreational vessels. The Coast Guard has carefully considered the nature and volume of vessel traffic on the waterway in publishing this temporary deviation. Vessels able to pass through the bridge in the closed position may do so at any time. The bridge will be able to open for emergencies and there is no immediate alternate route for vessels unable to pass through the bridge in the closed position. The Coast Guard will also inform the users of the waterway through our Local Notice and Broadcast Notices to Mariners of the change in operating schedule for the bridge so that vessel operators can arrange their transits to minimize any impact caused by the temporary deviation. In accordance with 33 CFR 117.35(e), the drawbridge must return to its regular operating schedule immediately at the end of the effective period of this temporary deviation. This deviation from the operating regulations is authorized under 33 CFR 117.35. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Dated: September 21, 2016. Hal R. Pitts, Bridge Program Manager, Fifth Coast Guard District. [FR Doc. 2016–23090 Filed 9–23–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–04–P E:\FR\FM\26SER1.SGM 26SER1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 186 (Monday, September 26, 2016)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 65875-65888]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-23087]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Department of the Army

32 CFR Part 553

[Docket No. USA-2015-HQ-0046]
RIN 0702-AA60


Army National Military Cemeteries

AGENCY: Department of the Army, DoD.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Army is publishing its regulation for 
the development, operation, maintenance, and administration of the Army 
National Cemeteries to reflect their statutory name change to the Army 
National Military Cemeteries and changes in the management structure, 
to adopt modifications suggested by the Department of the Army 
Inspector General and approved by the Secretary of the Army, and to 
implement changes in interment eligibility reflecting changes in law.

DATES: This rule is effective on October 26, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. Robert Quackenbush, Army National 
Military Cemeteries, 703-614-7150.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

A. Executive Summary

I. Purpose of the Regulatory Action

    a. This final rule modifies the Army's regulation governing Army 
National Military Cemeteries, which consist of Arlington National 
Cemetery and the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery, to 
reflect changes in the management structure of the Army National 
Military Cemeteries created by Army General Orders 2014-74 and 2014-75 
and the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Public 
Law 112-81, section 591 (2011) (adding chapter 446 to title 10); to 
incorporate modifications to eligibility as enacted by Section 1 to 
Public Law 114-158, dated 20 May 2016 which amends 38 U.S.C. 2410; to 
adopt modifications suggested by the Department of the Army Inspector 
General as approved by the Secretary of the Army; to implement 
interment, inurnment, and memorialization eligibility restrictions, 
including those mandated by 10 U.S.C. 985 and 38 U.S.C. 2411; and to 
prohibit the reservation of gravesites as mandated by 38 U.S.C. 2410a.
    b. The legal authority for this regulatory action is section 591 of 
the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2012, Public Law 
112-81 (2011), which added chapter 446 to title 10. Chapter 446 
requires the Secretary of the Army to prescribe regulations and 
policies as may be necessary to administer the Army National Military 
Cemeteries, and it codifies the role of the Executive Director as the 
individual responsible for exercising authority, direction, and control 
over all aspects of the Army National Military Cemeteries. Throughout 
part 553, the Army replaces references to the Superintendent of the 
Cemetery, the Adjutant General, and Commanding General, Military 
District of Washington, with ``Executive Director'' to reflect the 
current organizational structure, which was implemented through Army 
General Orders 2014-74 and 2014-75 and codified in the National Defense 
Authorization Act of 2012.

II. Summary of and Response to Public Comments

    The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on May 11, 
2016 (81 FR 29230) for a 60-day comment period. The Department of the 
Army received fourteen comments from fourteen individuals. Thirteen of 
the

[[Page 65876]]

comments addressed section 553.33(c)(8) concerning the use of bicycles 
in the cemetery. One of the thirteen comments also addressed section 
553.33(c)(7) concerning use of the cemetery for physical training. The 
final comment addressed section 553.33(c)(14) concerning possession of 
firearms within the cemetery. The Army's responses to these comments 
are discussed below.
    Thirteen comments addressed the updated restrictions for operating 
bicycles within the cemetery. Arguments were made for opening the 
cemetery to bicycles for riders' convenience as a thruway between Joint 
Base Myer-Henderson Hall/Memorial Drive, as an environmentally friendly 
method for seeing the cemetery, as a more neighborly approach to 
surrounding Arlington residents, as a better method for visiting 
distant gravesites, and for the health benefits to be gained from 
riding bicycles in the cemetery. Several commenters argued that 
bicycles do not impact the decorum of the cemetery.
    The Army disagrees with and rejects these comments for several 
reasons related to the nature of cemetery operations, decorum, 
security, and safety.
    The cemetery is not intended to serve as a shortcut route for 
bicyclists commuting to and from other locations. Rather, as an 
operational cemetery conducting up to 30 funerals a day and hosting 
official visits from visiting dignitaries on its narrow roads, the 
primary purpose of these roads are to facilitate funeral processions, 
military units, official vehicles to include their escorts, and 
cemetery equipment and vehicles operating in the daily care of the 
cemetery.
    Additionally, while the Army assumes that most riders bear no 
malice of intent to demonstrate disrespect or violate decorum or 
decency, bicyclists traversing the cemetery grounds, even at the posted 
speed limit, can and do impact the decorum of funeral processions and 
services, which can number up to 30 per day, as cyclists pass along or 
across these procession routes. These funeral processions include not 
just the families and mourners, but include caissons drawn by horses, 
military bands, and military escort elements all travelling at a 
walking pace. For these services, bus tour operators and vehicles are 
forced to stop because there is simply not enough room to pass. This 
ensures proper decorum. Likewise, visitors on foot typically stop and 
yield to the processions also as a sign of respect. Previous trial 
periods with bicyclists in the cemetery showed bicyclists did not 
typically stop for these processions. The cemetery does not have the 
requisite staff to monitor and enforce this behavior for bicyclists.
    There are legitimate safety concerns with bicyclists mixing with 
pedestrians. Although they are moving under their own power, bicyclists 
move at a rate typically 10 times faster than most walking paces. 
Bicyclists passing the 4 million visitors walking along these roads or 
in open air tour buses pose risks to themselves, pedestrians, and bus 
passengers. Additionally, bicyclists riding in and around the cemetery 
are travelling at higher speeds than the funeral processions. Since 
there are no bike paths on the cemetery grounds, mixing bicyclists with 
these processions also constitutes a safety hazard.
    The comment arguing for public convenience is not supported on its 
merits. The current route used in the cemetery is 1.2 miles from South 
Post Chapel to Hwy 110 at Memorial Drive. There is an equally 
convenient 1.3 mile route around the cemetery from the South Post 
Chapel along McNair Road, Marshall Road and out the Wright Gate to the 
bike path along Highway 110 which can bring a rider to the same point 
on Memorial Drive--a greater distance of only one-tenth of one mile. 
For those desiring to visit their loved one's grave by bicycle, the new 
rule still accommodates this ability with no substantive change from 
current policy. Guests desiring to visit a loved one's grave can still 
obtain a temporary pass at the Welcome Center just as they do now, and 
with that pass, ride their bicycles to and from the gravesite.
    The Army also notes that tour buses and cars are not allowed free 
reign to enter the cemetery. For security purposes, they are restricted 
in where they can go within the cemetery. Moreover, for the same 
security reasons, they cannot enter without first obtaining a pass from 
the Welcome Center. With the changes in the new rule, the Army is 
simply imposing the same security restriction on bicyclists as they do 
on motorists and tour buses who desire to drive into the cemetery.
    Commenters also expressed support for expanding bicycle use and for 
installing bike racks to accommodate cyclists. The Army notes that 
there are already bike racks at the Welcome Center for those coming to 
Arlington via bicycle. On most days there is ample space available on 
these bike racks.
    Another commenter stated that the Army is incorrect in its claim 
that the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) does not apply 
because the proposed rule would completely ban the ongoing activity of 
bicycle transportation though the cemetery. The Army believes the 
commenter's facts are wrong. The rule does not completely ban 
bicyclists. In fact, it retains the current practice for those wishing 
to visit a gravesite on bicycle to obtain a pass at the Welcome Center 
in order to do so. The only substantive change is to not allow transit 
via the Meigs/Sherman/Schley Drives through the cemetery. However, the 
Army believes the alternate McNair/Marshall/Hwy 110 bike path route 
described above still allows the same bicyclists the means to reach 
Memorial Drive at a negligibly increased distance by bicycle. 
Therefore, the rule does not significantly alter ongoing activities. 
The Army determined that implementing the new rule does not 
individually or cumulatively have any significant environmental 
consequences. Consequently, the Army's proposed actions are 
categorically excluded recreational and law enforcement activities and 
do not require an environmental assessment or environmental impact 
statement under Army Regulation 200-2.
    Another commenter raised the point that the Army should allow 
physical training runs through the cemetery which would allow time for 
reflection on those veterans interred in the cemetery while exercising. 
The commenter considered it an honor to conduct physical training in a 
VA National Cemetery where the commenter had been previously stationed. 
The Army does grant exceptions to military units from the Army staff 
and from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall conduct unit level physical 
training to support this type of reflection on a case-by-case basis. 
However, the training is always completed early in the morning before 
the Cemetery is open to visitors. Physical training during operating 
hours pose a decorum and safety issue. While the Army recognizes that 
being permitted to exercise at other cemeteries might be permissible 
and could provide an opportunity for reflection on the sacrifices made 
by those interred, exercise within the grounds during hours of 
operation while interments are being conducted does not reflect the 
decorum desired by the Army. Additionally, unlike most VA cemeteries, 
Arlington National Cemetery receives over 4 million tourists each year 
who visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Kennedy family 
gravesites, the Arlington House administered by the National Park 
Service, and other notable sites. The

[[Page 65877]]

sheer number of visitors, tour buses, along with the 30 funeral 
processions which include escort elements, bands, and caissons that 
occur each day throughout the cemetery grounds do not provide a safe 
environment conducive to physical training.
    The final comment concerned the prohibition of firearms. The 
commenter argued that Arlington National Cemetery is more analogous to 
a park than an Army installation and lacks the substantive access 
control and large security forces typically found on Army 
installations. The commenter further argued that there is no need to 
protect sensitive facilities and personnel at the Cemetery. The Army 
disagrees with this comment. Arlington Cemetery does have a substantial 
security force, exercises access control and shares the same type of 
security concerns found with other military facilities. Additionally, 
the cemetery hosts U.S. distinguished visitors, foreign Heads of State, 
and other dignitaries for over 3000 wreath laying ceremonies each year 
at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. These funeral processions and 
official ceremonies require significantly greater security concerns 
than those found at typical parks cited by the commenter.
    In addition to the comments provided by the public above, the final 
rule also includes three modifications from the draft rule released in 
the May-July public comment period. Two of the modifications were 
required to comply with Public Law 114-158, enacted on 20 May 2016 
after the draft rule was released for public comment. This new law 
recently modified eligibility for inurnment at Arlington National 
Cemetery to include active duty designees as found in the GI Bill 
Improvement Act of 1977. The third modification was made by the 
cemetery staff to add clarity to eligibility for interment in the soon 
to be opened Tomb of Remembrance.
    The two modifications required by Public Law were in Sec.  553.1 
Definitions, and Sec.  553.13 Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington 
National Cemetery. The third modification to add clarity to eligibility 
for interment in the Tomb of Remembrance is captured in Sec.  553.24, 
Subsequently recovered remains.

B. Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Army has determined that the Regulatory Flexibility Act does 
not apply because the rule does not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small entities within the meaning of the 
Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 601-612.

C. Unfunded Mandates Reform Act

    The Army has determined that the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act does 
not apply because the rule does not include a mandate that may result 
in estimated costs to State, local, or tribal governments in the 
aggregate, or the private sector, of $100 million or more.

D. National Environmental Policy Act

    Neither an environmental analysis nor an environmental impact 
statement under the National Environmental Policy Act is required. The 
changes made to the prior regulation by this amendment reflect existing 
policies and does not significantly alter ongoing activities, nor does 
this amendment constitute a new use of the property.

E. Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Army has determined that this rule does not impose reporting or 
recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.

F. Executive Order 12630 (Government Actions and Interference With 
Constitutionally Protected Property Rights)

    The Army has determined that E.O. 12630 does not apply because the 
rule does not impair private property rights.

G. Executive Order 12866 (Regulatory Planning and Review) and E.O. 
13563 (Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review)

    Executive Orders 13563 and 12866 direct agencies to assess all 
costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if 
regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize 
net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public 
health and safety effects, distribute impacts, and equity). Executive 
Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and 
benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting 
flexibility. This rule has not been designated a ``significant 
regulatory action'' under section 3(f) of Executive Order 12866.

H. Executive Order 13045 (Protection of Children From Environmental 
Health Risk and Safety Risks)

    The Army has determined that according to the criteria defined in 
E.O. 13045, the requirements of that Order do not apply to this rule.

I. Executive Order 13132 (Federalism)

    The Army has determined that, according to the criteria defined in 
E.O. 13132, the requirements of that Order do not apply to this rule 
because the rule will not have a substantial effect on the States, on 
the relationship between the Federal government and the States, or on 
the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels 
of government.

Patrick K. Hallinan,
Executive Director.

List of Subjects in 32 CFR Part 553

    Armed forces, Armed forces reserves, Military personnel, Monuments 
and memorials, Veterans.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Department of the Army 
revises 32 CFR part 553 to read as follows:

PART 553--ARMY NATIONAL MILITARY CEMETERIES

Sec.
553.1 Definitions.
553.2 Purpose.
553.3 Statutory authorities.
553.4 Scope and applicability.
553.5 Maintaining order.
553.6 Standards for managing Army National Military Cemeteries.
553.7 Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.
553.8 Permission to install utilities.
553.9 Assignment of gravesites or niches.
553.10 Proof of eligibility.
553.11 General rules governing eligibility for interment, inurnment, 
and memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery.
553.12 Eligibility for interment in Arlington National Cemetery.
553.13 Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery 
Columbarium.
553.14 Eligibility for interment of cremated remains in the 
Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area.
553.15 Eligibility for group burial in Arlington National Cemetery.
553.16 Eligibility for memorialization in an Arlington National 
Cemetery memorial area.
553.17 Arlington National Cemetery interment/inurnment agreement.
553.18 Eligibility for burial in U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home 
National Cemetery.
553.19 Ineligibility for interment, inurnment, or memorialization in 
an Army National Military Cemetery.
553.20 Prohibition of interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an 
Army National Military Cemetery of persons who have committed 
certain crimes.
553.21 Findings concerning the commission of certain crimes where a 
person has not been convicted due to death or flight to avoid 
prosecution.
553.22 Exceptions to policies for interment, inurnment, or 
memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery.
553.23 Placement of cremated remains at Army National Military 
Cemeteries.
553.24 Subsequently recovered remains.
553.25 Disinterments and disinurnments of remains.

[[Page 65878]]

553.26 Design of Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, and 
memorial markers.
553.27 Inscriptions on Government-furnished headstones, niche 
covers, and memorial markers.
553.28 Private headstones and markers.
553.29 Permission to construct private headstones and markers.
553.30 Inscriptions on private headstones and markers.
553.31 Memorial and commemorative monuments (other than private 
headstones or markers).
553.32 Conduct of memorial services and ceremonies.
553.33 Visitors rules for Army National Military Cemeteries.
553.34 Soliciting and vending.
553.35 Media.

    Authority: 10 U.S.C. 985, 1128, 1481, 1482, 3013, 4721-4726; 24 
U.S.C. 295a, 412; 38 U.S.C. 2402 note, 2409- 2411, 2413; 40 U.S.C. 
9102.


Sec.  553.1  Definitions.

    As used in this part, the following terms have these meanings:
    Active duty. Full-time duty in the active military service of the 
United States.
    (1) This includes:
    (i) Active Reserve component duty performed pursuant to title 10, 
United States Code.
    (ii) Service as a cadet or midshipman currently on the rolls at the 
U.S. Military, U.S. Naval, U.S. Air Force, or U.S. Coast Guard 
Academies.
    (iii) Active duty for operational support.
    (iv) Persons whose service has been determined to be active duty 
service pursuant to section 401 of the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977 
(Pub. L. 95-202; 38 U.S.C. 106 note) as of 20 May 2016 and the remains 
of that person were not already formally interred or inurned as of 20 
May 2016 or that person died on or after 20 May 2016.
    (2) This does not include:
    (i) Full-time duty performed under title 32, United States Code.
    (ii) Active duty for training, initial entry training, annual 
training duty, or inactive-duty training for members of the Reserve 
components.
    Active duty for operational support (formerly active duty for 
special work).
    A tour of active duty for Reserve personnel authorized from 
military or Reserve personnel appropriations for work on Active 
component or Reserve component programs. The purpose of active duty for 
operational support is to provide the necessary skilled manpower assets 
to support existing or emerging requirements and may include training.
    Active duty for training. A category of active duty used to provide 
structured individual and/or unit training, including on-the-job 
training, or educational courses to Reserve component members. Included 
in the active duty for training category are annual training, initial 
active duty for training, or any other training duty.
    Annual training. The minimum period of active duty for training 
that Reserve members must perform each year to satisfy the training 
requirements associated with their Reserve component assignment.
    Armed Forces. The U.S. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, Air 
Force and their Reserve components.
    Army National Military Cemeteries. Arlington National Cemetery and 
the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery.
    Category 4, 5, or 5+ Posts. Category 4, 5, or 5+ posts, including 
the equivalent classifications as determined by the Department of State 
that were used prior to 2004 or may be used subsequently.
    Child, minor child, permanently dependent child, unmarried adult 
child.
    (1) Child.
    (i) Natural child of a primarily eligible person, born in wedlock;
    (ii) Natural child of a female primarily eligible person, born out 
of wedlock;
    (iii) Natural child of a male primarily eligible person, who was 
born out of wedlock and:
    (A) Has been acknowledged in a writing signed by the male primarily 
eligible person;
    (B) Has been judicially determined to be the male primarily 
eligible person's child;
    (C) Whom the male primarily eligible person has been judicially 
ordered to support; or
    (D) Has been otherwise proved, by evidence satisfactory to the 
Executive Director, to be the child of the male primarily eligible 
person
    (iv) Adopted child of a primarily eligible person; or
    (v) Stepchild who was part of the primarily eligible person's 
household at the time of death of the individual who is to be interred 
or inurned.
    (2) Minor child. A child of the primarily eligible person who
    (i) Is unmarried;
    (ii) Has no dependents; and
    (iii) Is under the age of twenty-one years, or is under the age of 
twenty-three years and is taking a full-time course of instruction at 
an educational institution which the U.S. Department of Education 
acknowledges as an accredited educational institution.
    (3) Permanently dependent child. A child of the primarily eligible 
person who
    (i) Is unmarried;
    (ii) Has no dependents; and
    (iii) Is permanently and fully dependent on one or both of the 
child's parents because of a physical or mental disability incurred 
before attaining the age of twenty-one years or before the age of 
twenty-three years while taking a full-time course of instruction at an 
educational institution which the U.S. Department of Education 
acknowledges as an accredited educational institution.
    (4) Unmarried adult child. A child of the primarily eligible person 
who
    (i) Is unmarried;
    (ii) Has no dependents; and
    (iii) Has attained the age of twenty-one years.
    Close relative. The spouse, parents, adult brothers and sisters, 
adult natural children, adult stepchildren, and adult adopted children 
of a decedent.
    Commemorative monuments. Monuments or other structures or landscape 
features that serve to honor events in history, units of the Armed 
Forces, individuals, or groups of individuals that served in the Armed 
Forces, and that do not contain human remains or mark the location of 
remains in close proximity. The term does not include memorial markers 
erected pursuant to Sec.  553.16.
    Derivatively eligible person. Any person who is entitled to 
interment or inurnment solely based on his or her relationship to a 
primarily eligible person, as set forth in Sec. Sec.  553.12(b) and 
Sec.  553.13(b) respectively.
    Disinterment. The permanent removal of interred human remains from 
a particular gravesite.
    Disinurnment. The permanent removal of remains from a particular 
niche.
    Executive Director. The person statutorily charged with exercising 
authority, direction, and control over all aspects of Army National 
Military Cemeteries.
    Federal capital crime. An offense under Federal law for which a 
sentence of imprisonment for life or the death penalty may be imposed.
    Former prisoner of war. A person who is eligible for or has been 
awarded the Prisoner of War Medal.
    Former spouse. See spouse.
    Government. The U.S. government and its agencies and 
instrumentalities.
    Group burial. Interment in one gravesite of one or more service 
members on active duty killed in the same incident or location where:
    (1) The remains cannot be individually identified; or
    (2) The person authorized to direct disposition of subsequently 
identified remains has authorized their interment with the other 
service members.

[[Page 65879]]

    Group remains may contain incidental remains of civilians and 
foreign nationals.
    Inactive-duty training.
    (1) Duty prescribed for members of the Reserve components by the 
Secretary concerned under 37 U.S.C. 206 or any other provision of law.
    (2) Special additional duties authorized for members of the Reserve 
components by an authority designated by the Secretary concerned and 
performed by them on a voluntary basis in connection with the 
prescribed training or maintenance activities of the units to which 
they are assigned.
    (3) In the case of a member of the Army National Guard or Air 
National Guard of any State, duty (other than full-time duty) under 32 
U.S.C. 316, 502, 503, 504 or 505 or the prior corresponding provisions 
of law.
    (4) This term does not include:
    (i) Work or study performed in connection with correspondence 
courses,
    (ii) Attendance at an educational institution in an inactive 
status, or
    (iii) Duty performed as a temporary member of the Coast Guard 
Reserve.
    Interment. The ground burial of casketed or cremated human remains.
    Inurnment. The placement of cremated human remains in a niche.
    Media. Individuals and agencies that print, broadcast, or gather 
and transmit news, and their reporters, photographers, and employees.
    Memorial marker. A headstone used to memorialize a service member 
or veteran whose remains are unavailable for reasons listed in Sec.  
553.16.
    Memorial service or ceremony. Any activity intended to honor the 
memory of a person or persons interred, inurned, or memorialized in the 
Army National Military Cemeteries. This term includes private memorial 
services, public memorial services, public wreath laying ceremonies, 
and official ceremonies.
    Minor child. See child.
    Niche. An aboveground space constructed specifically for the 
placement of cremated human remains.
    Official ceremony. A memorial service or ceremony approved by the 
Executive Director in which the primary participants are 
representatives of the Government, a State government, a foreign 
government, or an international organization authorized by the U.S. 
Department of State to participate in an official capacity.
    Parent. A natural parent, a stepparent, a parent by adoption, or a 
person who for a period of not less than one year stood in loco 
parentis, or was granted legal custody by a court decree or statutory 
provision.
    Permanently dependent child. See child.
    Person authorized to direct disposition. The person primarily 
entitled to direct disposition of human remains and who elects to 
exercise that entitlement. Determination of such entitlement shall be 
made in accordance with applicable law and regulations.
    Personal representative. A person who has legal authority to act on 
behalf of another through applicable law, order, and regulation.
    Primarily eligible person. Any person who is entitled to interment 
or inurnment based on his or her service as specified in Sec.  
553.12(a) and Sec.  553.13(a) respectively.
    Primary next of kin. (1) In the absence of a valid written document 
from the decedent identifying the primary next of kin, the order of 
precedence for designating a decedent's primary next of kin is as 
follows:
    (i) Spouse, even if a minor;
    (ii) Children;
    (iii) Parents;
    (iv) Siblings, to include half-blood and those acquired through 
adoption;
    (v) Grandparents;
    (vi) Other next of kin, in order of relationship to the decedent as 
determined by the laws of the decedent's state of domicile.
    (2) Absent a court order or written document from the deceased, the 
precedence of next of kin with equal relationships to the decedent is 
governed by seniority (age), older having higher priority than younger. 
Equal relationship situations include those involving divorced parents 
of the decedent, children of the decedent, and siblings of the 
decedent.
    Private headstones or markers. A headstone or individual memorial 
marker provided at private expense, in lieu of a headstone or 
individual memorial marker furnished by the Government.
    Private memorial service. A memorial service or ceremony conducted 
at the decedent's gravesite, memorial headstone, or niche.
    Public memorial service. A ceremony conducted by members of the 
public at a historic site in an Army National Military Cemetery.
    Public wreath-laying ceremony. A ceremony in which members of the 
public, assisted by the Tomb Guards, present a wreath or similar 
memento at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
    Reserve component. The Army Reserve, the Navy Reserve, the Marine 
Corps Reserve, the Air Force Reserve, the Coast Guard Reserve, the Army 
National Guard of the United States, and the Air National Guard of the 
United States.
    Spouse, former spouse, subsequently remarried spouse.
    (1) Spouse. A person who is legally married to another person.
    (2) Former spouse. A person who was legally married to another 
person at one time but was not legally married to that person at the 
time of one of their deaths.
    (3) Subsequently remarried spouse. A derivatively eligible spouse 
who was married to the primarily eligible person at the time of the 
primarily eligible person's death and who subsequently remarried 
another person.
    State capital crime. Under State law, the willful, deliberate, or 
premeditated unlawful killing of another human being for which a 
sentence of imprisonment for life or the death penalty may be imposed.
    Subsequently recovered remains. Additional remains belonging to the 
decedent that are recovered or identified after the decedent's 
interment or inurnment.
    Subsequently remarried spouse. See spouse.
    Unmarried adult child. See child.
    Veteran. A person who served in the U.S. Armed Forces and who was 
discharged or released under honorable conditions.


Sec.  553.2  Purpose.

    This part specifies the authorities and assigns the 
responsibilities for the development, operation, maintenance, and 
administration of the Army National Military Cemeteries.


Sec.  553.3  Statutory authorities.

    (a) Historical. Act of July 17, 1862, Sec. 18, 12 Stat. 594, 596; 
Act of February 22, 1867, Ch. 61, 14 Stat. 399; and the National 
Cemeteries Act of 1973, Public Law 93-43, 87 Stat. 75 (1973). The 
National Cemeteries Act established the National Cemetery System, which 
primarily consists of national cemeteries transferred from the 
management authority of the Department of the Army to the (now) 
Department of Veterans Affairs. Section 6(a) of the Act exempted 
Arlington National Cemetery and the Soldiers' and Airmen's Home 
National Cemetery from transfer to the National Cemetery System, 
leaving them under the management authority of the Secretary of the 
Army.
    (b) Current. Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 4721(a), the Secretary of the 
Army shall develop, operate, manage, oversee, and fund the Army 
National Military Cemeteries. Section 4721(c) provides that the Army 
National Military Cemeteries are under the jurisdiction of 
Headquarters, Department of the Army, and 10 U.S.C. 4721(d) provides 
that the

[[Page 65880]]

Secretary of the Army shall prescribe such regulations and policies as 
may be necessary to administer the Army National Military Cemeteries. 
The responsibilities of Headquarters, Department of the Army with 
regard to the Army National Military Cemeteries are enumerated in 10 
U.S.C. 4721-4726 and Army General Orders 2014-74 and 2014-75.


Sec.  553.4  Scope and applicability.

    (a) Scope. The development, maintenance, administration, and 
operation of the Army National Military Cemeteries are governed by this 
part, Army Regulation 290-5, and Department of the Army Pamphlet 290-5. 
The development, maintenance, administration, and operation of Army 
post cemeteries are not covered by this part.
    (b) Applicability. This part is applicable to all persons on, 
engaging in business with, or seeking access to or benefits from the 
Army National Military Cemeteries, unless otherwise specified.


Sec.  553.5  Maintaining order.

    The Executive Director may order the removal from, and bar the re-
entry onto, Army National Military Cemeteries of any person who acts in 
violation of any law or regulation, including but not limited to 
demonstrations and disturbances as outlined in 38 U.S.C. 2413, and in 
this part. This authority may not be re-delegated.


Sec.  553.6  Standards for managing Army National Military Cemeteries.

    (a) The Executive Director is responsible for establishing and 
maintaining cemetery layout plans, including plans setting forth 
sections with gravesites, memorial areas with markers, and columbaria 
with niches, and landscape planting plans.
    (b) New sections or areas may be opened and prepared for interments 
or for installing memorial markers only with the approval of the 
Executive Director.


Sec.  553.7  Arlington Memorial Amphitheater.

    (a) In accordance with 24 U.S.C. 295a:
    (1) No memorial may be erected and no remains may be entombed in 
the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater unless specifically authorized by 
Congress; and
    (2) The character, design, or location of any memorial authorized 
by Congress for placement in the Amphitheater is subject to the 
approval of the Secretary of Defense or his or her designee.
    (b) The Secretary of Defense or his or her designee will seek the 
advice of the Commission of Fine Arts in such matters, in accordance 
with 40 U.S.C. 9102.
    (c) Tributes offered for those interred in the Tomb of the Unknown 
Soldier for placement in the Arlington Memorial Amphitheater display 
room are not memorials for purposes of this section.


Sec.  553.8  Permission to install utilities.

    (a) The installation of utilities in Army National Military 
Cemeteries, including but not limited to, telephone and fiber optic 
lines, electric lines, natural gas lines, water pipes, storm drains, 
and sanitary sewers, must be authorized by the Executive Director.
    (b) Requests for licenses, permits, or easements to install water, 
gas, or sewer lines, or other utilities or equipment on or across an 
Army National Military Cemetery or an approach road in which the 
Government has a right-of-way, fee simple title, or other interest, 
must be sent to the Executive Director, who will process the request in 
accordance with Army policy. Requests must include a complete 
description of the type of license, permit, or easement desired and a 
map showing the location of the project.


Sec.  553.9  Assignment of gravesites or niches.

    (a) All eligible persons will be assigned gravesites or niches 
without discrimination as to race, color, sex, religion, age, or 
national origin and without preference to military grade or rank.
    (b) The Army National Military Cemeteries will enforce a one-
gravesite-per-family policy. Once the initial interment or inurnment is 
made in a gravesite or niche, each additional interment or inurnment of 
eligible persons must be made in the same gravesite or niche, except as 
noted in paragraph (f) of this section. This includes multiple 
primarily eligible persons if they are married to each other.
    (c) In accordance with 38 U.S.C. 2410A(a)(2) the Secretary of the 
Army may waive the prohibition in paragraph (b) of this section as the 
Secretary of the Army deems appropriate.
    (d) A gravesite reservation will be honored if it meets the 
following requirements, unless it is cancelled by the Executive 
Director:
    (1) The gravesite was properly reserved by law before January 1, 
1962, and
    (2) An eligible person was interred in the reserved gravesite prior 
to January 1, 2017.
    (e) The Executive Director may cancel a gravesite reservation:
    (1) Upon determination that a derivatively eligible spouse has 
remarried;
    (2) Upon determination that the reservee's remains have been buried 
elsewhere or otherwise disposed of;
    (3) Upon determination that the reservee desires to or will be 
interred in the same gravesite with the predeceased, and doing so is 
feasible; or
    (4) Upon determination that the reservee would be 120 years of age 
and there is no record of correspondence with the reservee within the 
last two decades.
    (f) In cases of reservations meeting the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 
2410A note, where more than one gravesite was reserved (on the basis of 
the veteran's eligibility at the time the reservation was made) and no 
interment has yet been made in any of the sites, the one-gravesite-per-
family policy will be enforced, unless waived by the Executive 
Director. Gravesite reservations will be honored only if the decedents 
meet the eligibility criteria for interment in Arlington National 
Cemetery that is in effect at the time of need, and the reserved 
gravesite is available.
    (g) Where a primarily eligible person has been or will be interred 
as part of a group burial or has been or will be memorialized in a 
memorial area at Arlington National Cemetery, the Executive Director 
will assign a gravesite or niche for interment or inurnment of a 
derivatively eligible person.
    (h) Gravesites or niches shall not be reserved or assigned prior to 
the time of need.
    (i) The selection of gravesites and niches is the responsibility of 
the Executive Director. The selection of specific gravesites or niches 
by the family or other representatives of the deceased at any time is 
prohibited.


Sec.  553.10  Proof of eligibility.

    (a) The personal representative or primary next of kin is 
responsible for providing appropriate documentation to verify the 
decedent's eligibility for interment or inurnment.
    (b) The personal representative or primary next of kin must certify 
in writing that the decedent is not prohibited from interment, 
inurnment, or memorialization under Sec.  553.20 because he or she has 
committed or been convicted of a Federal or State capital crime or is a 
convicted Tier III sex offender as defined in 38 U.S.C. 2411.
    (c) For service members who die on active duty, a statement of 
honorable service from a general court martial

[[Page 65881]]

convening authority is required. If the certificate of honorable 
service cannot be granted, the service member is ineligible for 
interment, inurnment, and memorialization pursuant to Sec.  553.19(i).
    (d) When applicable, the following documents are required:
    (1) Death certificate;
    (2) Proof of eligibility as required by paragraphs (e) through (g) 
of this section;
    (3) Any additional documentation to establish the decedent's 
eligibility (e.g., marriage certificate, birth certificate, waivers, 
statements that the decedent had no children);
    (4) Burial agreement;
    (5) Notarized statement that the remains are unavailable for the 
reasons set forth in Sec.  553.16; and
    (6) A certificate of cremation or notarized statement attesting to 
the authenticity of the cremated human remains and that 100% of the 
cremated remains received from the crematorium are present. The 
Executive Director may, however, allow a portion of the cremated 
remains to be removed by the crematorium for the sole purpose of 
producing commemorative items.
    (7) Any other document as required by the Executive Director.
    (e) The following documents may be used to establish the 
eligibility of a primarily eligible person:
    (1) DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active 
Duty;
    (2) WD AGO 53 or 53-55, Enlisted Record and Report of Separation 
Honorable Discharge;
    (3) WD AGO 53-98, Military Record and Report of Separation 
Certificate of Service;
    (4) NAVPERS-553, Notice of Separation from U.S. Naval Service;
    (5) NAVMC 70-PD, Honorable Discharge, U.S. Marine Corps; or;
    (6) DD Form 1300, Report of Casualty (required in the case of death 
of an active duty service member).
    (f) In addition to the documents otherwise required by this 
section, a request for interment or inurnment of a subsequently 
remarried spouse must be accompanied by:
    (1) A notarized statement from the new spouse of the subsequently 
remarried spouse agreeing to the interment or inurnment and 
relinquishing any claim for interment or inurnment in the same 
gravesite or niche.
    (2) Notarized statement(s) from all of the children from the prior 
marriage agreeing to the interment or inurnment of their parents in the 
same gravesite or niche.
    (g) In addition to the documents otherwise required by this 
section, a request for interment or inurnment of a permanently 
dependent child must be accompanied by:
    (1) A notarized statement as to the marital status and degree of 
dependency of the decedent from an individual with direct knowledge; 
and
    (2) A physician's statement regarding the nature and duration of 
the physical or mental disability; and
    (3) A statement from someone with direct knowledge demonstrating 
the following factors:
    (i) The deceased lived most of his or her adult life with one or 
both parents, one or both of whom are otherwise eligible for interment;
    (ii) The decedent's children, siblings, or other family members, 
other than the eligible parent, waive any derivative claim to be 
interred at Arlington National Cemetery, in accordance with the 
Arlington National Cemetery Burial Agreement.
    (h) Veterans or primary next of kin of deceased veterans may obtain 
copies of their military records by writing to the National Personnel 
Records Center, Attention: Military Personnel Records, 9700 Page Avenue 
St. Louis, Missouri 63132 or using their Web site. All others may 
request a record by completing and submitting Standard Form 180.
    (i) The burden of proving eligibility lies with the party who 
requests the burial. The Executive Director will determine whether the 
submitted evidence is sufficient to support a finding of eligibility.


Sec.  553.11  General rules governing eligibility for interment, 
inurnment, and memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery.

    (a) Only those persons who meet the criteria of Sec.  553.12 or are 
granted an exception to policy pursuant to Sec.  553.22 may be interred 
in Arlington National Cemetery. Only those persons who meet the 
criteria of Sec.  553.13 or are granted an exception to policy pursuant 
to Sec.  553.22 may be inurned in Arlington National Cemetery. Only 
those persons who meet the criteria of Sec.  553.14 may be interred in 
the Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area. Only those persons who 
meet the criteria of Sec.  553.15 may be interred in an Arlington 
National Cemetery group burial. Only those persons who meet the 
criteria of Sec.  553.16 may be memorialized in Arlington National 
Cemetery.
    (b) Derivative eligibility for interment or inurnment may be 
established only through a decedent's connection to a primarily 
eligible person and not to another derivatively eligible person.
    (c) No veteran is eligible for interment, inurnment, or 
memorialization in Arlington National Cemetery unless the veteran's 
last period of active duty ended with an honorable discharge. A general 
discharge under honorable conditions is not sufficient for interment, 
inurnment or memorialization in Arlington National Cemetery.
    (d) For purposes of determining whether a service member has 
received an honorable discharge, final determinations regarding 
discharges made in accordance with procedures established by chapter 79 
of title 10, United States Code, will be considered authoritative.
    (e) The Secretary of the Army has the authority to act on requests 
for exceptions to the provisions of the interment, inurnment, and 
memorialization eligibility policies contained in this part. The 
Secretary of the Army may delegate this authority to the Executive 
Director on such terms deemed appropriate.
    (f) Individuals who do not qualify as a primarily eligible person 
or a derivatively eligible person, but who are granted an exception to 
policy to be interred or inurned pursuant to Sec.  553.22 in a new 
gravesite or niche, will be treated as a primarily eligible person for 
purposes of this part.
    (g) Notwithstanding any other section in this part, memorialization 
with an individual memorial marker, interment, or inurnment in the Army 
National Military Cemeteries is prohibited if there is a gravesite, 
niche, or individual memorial marker for the decedent in any other 
Government-operated cemetery or the Government has provided an 
individual grave marker, individual memorial marker or niche cover for 
placement in a private cemetery.


Sec.  553.12  Eligibility for interment in Arlington National Cemetery.

    Only those who qualify as a primarily eligible person or a 
derivatively eligible person are eligible for interment in Arlington 
National Cemetery, unless otherwise prohibited as provided for in 
Sec. Sec.  553.19-553.20, provided that the last period of active duty 
of the service member or veteran ended with an honorable discharge.
    (a) Primarily eligible persons. The following are primarily 
eligible persons for purposes of interment:
    (1) Any service member who dies on active duty in the U.S. Armed 
Forces (except those service members serving on active duty for 
training only), if the General Courts Martial Convening Authority 
grants a certificate of honorable service.

[[Page 65882]]

    (2) Any veteran retired from a Reserve component who served a 
period of active duty (other than for training), is carried on the 
official retired list, and is entitled to receive military retired pay.
    (3) Any veteran retired from active military service and entitled 
to receive military retired pay.
    (4) Any veteran who received an honorable discharge from the Armed 
Forces prior to October 1, 1949, who was discharged for a permanent 
physical disability, who served on active duty (other than for 
training), and who would have been eligible for retirement under the 
provisions of 10 U.S.C. 1201 had the statute been in effect on the date 
of separation.
    (5) Any veteran awarded one of the following decorations:
    (i) Medal of Honor;
    (ii) Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, or Navy Cross;
    (iii) Distinguished Service Medal;
    (iv) Silver Star; or
    (v) Purple Heart.
    (6) Any veteran who served on active duty (other than active duty 
for training) and who held any of the following positions:
    (i) President or Vice President of the United States;
    (ii) Elected member of the U.S. Congress;
    (iii) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States or 
Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States;
    (iv) A position listed, at the time the person held the position, 
in 5 U.S.C. 5312 or 5313 (Levels I and II of the Executive Schedule); 
or
    (v) Chief of Mission of a Category 4, 5, or 5+ post if the 
Department of State classified that post as a Category 4, 5, or 5+ post 
during the person's tenure as Chief of Mission.
    (7) Any former prisoner of war who, while a prisoner of war, served 
honorably in the active military service, and who died on or after 
November 30, 1993.
    (b) Derivatively eligible persons. The following individuals are 
derivatively eligible persons for purposes of interment who may be 
interred if space is available in the gravesite of the primarily 
eligible person:
    (1) The spouse of a primarily eligible person who is or will be 
interred in Arlington National Cemetery. A former spouse of a primarily 
eligible person is not eligible for interment in Arlington National 
Cemetery under this paragraph.
    (2) The spouse of an active duty service member or an eligible 
veteran, who was:
    (i) Lost or buried at sea, temporarily interred overseas due to 
action by the Government, or officially determined to be missing in 
action;
    (ii) Buried in a U.S. military cemetery maintained by the American 
Battle Monuments Commission; or
    (iii) Interred in Arlington National Cemetery as part of a group 
burial (the derivatively eligible spouse may not be buried in the group 
burial gravesite).
    (3) The parents of a minor child or a permanently dependent adult 
child, whose remains were interred in Arlington National Cemetery based 
on the eligibility of a parent at the time of the child's death, unless 
eligibility of the non-service connected parent is lost through divorce 
from the primarily eligible parent.
    (4) An honorably discharged veteran who does not qualify as a 
primarily eligible person, if the veteran will be buried in the same 
gravesite as an already interred primarily eligible person who is a 
close relative, where the interment meets the following conditions:
    (i) The veteran is without minor or unmarried adult dependent 
children;
    (ii) The veteran will not occupy space reserved for the spouse, a 
minor child, or a permanently dependent adult child;
    (iii) All other close relatives of the primarily eligible person 
concur with the interment of the veteran with the primarily eligible 
person by signing a notarized statement;
    (iv) The veteran's spouse waives any entitlement to interment in 
Arlington National Cemetery, where such entitlement might be based on 
the veteran's interment in Arlington National Cemetery. The Executive 
Director may set aside the spouse's waiver, provided space is available 
in the same gravesite, and all close relatives of the primarily 
eligible person concur;
    (v) Any cost of moving, recasketing, or revaulting the remains will 
be paid from private funds; and


Sec.  553.13  Eligibility for inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery 
Columbarium.

    The following persons are eligible for inurnment in the Arlington 
National Cemetery Columbarium, unless otherwise prohibited as provided 
for in Sec. Sec.  553.19-553.20, provided that the last period of 
active duty of the service member or veteran ended with an honorable 
discharge.
    (a) Primarily eligible persons. The following are primarily 
eligible persons for purposes of inurnment:
    (1) Any person eligible for interment in Arlington National 
Cemetery, as provided for in Sec.  553.12(a).
    (2) Any veteran who served on active duty other than active duty 
for training.
    (3) Any member of a Reserve component of the Armed Forces who dies 
while:
    (i) On active duty for training or performing full-time duty under 
title 32, United States Code;
    (ii) Performing authorized travel to or from such active duty for 
training or full-time duty;
    (iii) On authorized inactive-duty training, including training 
performed as a member of the Army National Guard of the United States 
or the Air National Guard of the United States; or
    (iv) Hospitalized or receiving treatment at the expense of the 
Government for an injury or disease incurred or contracted while on 
such active duty for training or full-time duty, traveling to or from 
such active duty for training or full-time duty, or on inactive-duty 
training.
    (4) Any member of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps of the 
United States, Army, Navy, or Air Force, whose death occurs while:
    (i) Attending an authorized training camp or cruise;
    (ii) Performing authorized travel to or from that camp or cruise; 
or
    (iii) Hospitalized or receiving treatment at the expense of the 
Government for injury or disease incurred or contracted while attending 
such camp or cruise or while traveling to or from such camp or cruise.
    (5) Any citizen of the United States who, during any war in which 
the United States has been or may hereafter be engaged, served in the 
armed forces of any government allied with the United States during 
that war, whose last service ended honorably by death or otherwise, and 
who was a citizen of the United States at the time of entry into that 
service and at the time of death.
    (6) Commissioned officers, United States Coast and Geodetic Survey 
(now National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) who die during or 
subsequent to the service specified in the following categories and 
whose last service terminated honorably:
    (i) Assignment to areas of immediate military hazard.
    (ii) Served in the Philippine Islands on December 7, 1941.
    (iii) Transferred to the Department of the Army or the Department 
of the Navy under certain statutes.
    (7) Any commissioned officer of the United States Public Health 
Service who served on full-time duty on or after July 29, 1945, if the 
service falls within the meaning of active duty for training as defined 
in 38 U.S.C. 101(22) or inactive duty training as defined in 38 U.S.C. 
101(23) and whose death resulted from a disease or injury incurred or

[[Page 65883]]

aggravated in line of duty. Also, any commissioned officer of the 
Regular or Reserve Corps of the Public Health Service who performed 
active service prior to July 29, 1945 in time of war; on detail for 
duty with the Armed Forces; or while the service was part of the 
military forces of the United States pursuant to Executive order of the 
President.
    (8) Any Active Duty Designee as defined in this part.
    (b) Derivatively eligible persons. Those connected to an individual 
described in paragraph (a) of this section through a relationship 
described in Sec.  553.12(b). Such individuals may be inurned if space 
is available in the primarily eligible person's niche.


Sec.  553.14  Eligibility for interment of cremated remains in the 
Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area.

    (a) The cremated remains of any person eligible for interment in 
Arlington National Cemetery as described in Sec.  553.12 may be 
interred in the designated Arlington National Cemetery Unmarked Area.
    (b) Cremated remains must be interred in a biodegradable container 
or placed directly into the ground without a container. Cremated 
remains are not authorized to be scattered at this site or at any 
location within Arlington National Cemetery.
    (c) There will be no headstone or marker for any person choosing 
this method of interment. A permanent register will be maintained by 
the Executive Director.
    (d) Consistent with the one-gravesite-per-family policy, once a 
person is interred in the Unmarked Area, any derivatively eligible 
persons and spouses must be interred in this manner. This includes 
spouses who are also primarily eligible persons. No additional 
gravesite, niche, or memorial marker in a memorial area will be 
authorized.


Sec.  553.15  Eligibility for group burial in Arlington National 
Cemetery.

    (a) The Executive Director may authorize a group burial in 
Arlington National Cemetery whenever several people, at least one of 
whom is an active duty service member, die during a military-related 
activity and not all remains can be individually identified.
    (b) Before authorizing a group burial that includes both United 
States and foreign decedents, the Executive Director will notify the 
Department of State and request that the Department of State notify the 
appropriate foreign embassy.


Sec.  553.16  Eligibility for memorialization in an Arlington National 
Cemetery memorial area.

    (a) With the authority granted by 38 U.S.C. 2409, a memorial marker 
may be placed in an Arlington National Cemetery memorial area to honor 
the memory of service members or veterans, who are eligible for 
interment under Sec.  553.12(a) and:
    (1) Who are missing in action;
    (2) Whose remains have not been recovered or identified;
    (3) Whose remains were buried at sea, whether by the member's or 
veteran's own choice or otherwise;
    (4) Whose remains were donated to science; or
    (5) Whose remains were cremated and the cremated remains were 
scattered without interment or inurnment of any portion of those 
remains.
    (b) When the remains of a primarily eligible person are unavailable 
for one of the reasons listed in paragraph (a) of this section, and a 
derivatively eligible person who predeceased the primarily eligible 
person is already interred or inurned in Arlington National Cemetery, 
the primarily eligible person may be memorialized only on the existing 
headstone or on a replacement headstone, ordered with a new 
inscription. Consistent with the one-gravesite-per-family policy, a 
separate marker in a memorial area is not authorized.
    (c) When a memorial marker for a primarily eligible person is 
already in place in a memorial area, and a derivatively eligible person 
is subsequently interred or inurned in Arlington National Cemetery, an 
inscription memorializing the primarily eligible person will be placed 
on the new headstone or niche cover. Consistent with the one-gravesite-
per-family policy, the memorial marker will then be removed from the 
memorial area.


Sec.  553.17  Arlington National Cemetery interment/inurnment 
agreement.

    (a) A derivatively eligible person who predeceases the primarily 
eligible person may be interred or inurned in Arlington National 
Cemetery only if the primarily eligible person agrees in writing to be 
interred in the same gravesite or inurned in the same niche at his or 
her time of need and that his or her estate shall pay for all expenses 
related to disinterment or disinurnment of the predeceased person from 
Arlington National Cemetery if the primarily eligible person is not 
interred or inurned as agreed.
    (b) If the primarily eligible person becomes ineligible for 
interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery or the personal 
representative or primary next of kin decides that the primarily 
eligible person will be interred or inurned elsewhere, the remains of 
any predeceased person may be removed from Arlington National Cemetery 
at no cost to the Government.


Sec.  553.18  Eligibility for burial in U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's 
Home National Cemetery.

    Only the residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home are eligible 
for interment in the U.S. Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National 
Cemetery. Resident eligibility criteria for the Armed Forces Retirement 
Home is provided for at 24 U.S.C. 412.


Sec.  553.19  Ineligibility for interment, inurnment, or 
memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery.

    The following persons are not eligible for interment, inurnment, or 
memorialization in an Army National Military Cemetery:
    (a) A father, mother, brother, sister, or in-law solely on the 
basis of his or her relationship to a primarily eligible person, even 
though the individual is:
    (1) Dependent on the primarily eligible person for support; or
    (2) A member of the primarily eligible person's household.
    (b) A person whose last period of service was not characterized as 
an honorable discharge (e.g., a separation or discharge under general 
but honorable conditions, other than honorable conditions, a bad 
conduct discharge, a dishonorable discharge, or a dismissal), 
regardless of whether the person:
    (1) Received any other veterans' benefits; or
    (2) Was treated at a Department of Veterans Affairs hospital or 
died in such a hospital.
    (c) A person who has volunteered for service with the U.S. Armed 
Forces, but has not yet entered on active duty.
    (d) A former spouse whose marriage to the primarily eligible person 
ended in divorce.
    (e) A spouse who predeceases the primarily eligible person and is 
interred or inurned in a location other than Arlington National 
Cemetery, and the primarily eligible person remarries.
    (f) A divorced spouse of a primarily eligible person.
    (g) Otherwise derivatively eligible persons, such as a spouse or 
minor child, if the primarily eligible person was not or will not be 
interred or inurned at Arlington National Cemetery.
    (h) A service member who dies while on active duty, if the first 
General

[[Page 65884]]

Courts Martial Convening Authority in the service member's chain of 
command determines that there is clear and convincing evidence that the 
service member engaged in conduct that would have resulted in a 
separation or discharge not characterized as an honorable discharge 
(e.g., a separation or discharge under general but honorable 
conditions, other than honorable conditions, a bad conduct discharge, a 
dishonorable discharge, or a dismissal) being imposed, but for the 
death of the service member.
    (i) Animal remains. If animal remains are unintentionally 
commingled with human remains due to a natural disaster, unforeseen 
accident, act of war or terrorism, violent explosion, or similar 
incident, and such remains cannot be separated from the remains of an 
eligible person, then the remains may be interred or inurned with the 
eligible person, but the identity of the animal remains shall not be 
inscribed or identified on a niche, marker, headstone, or otherwise.


Sec.  553.20  Prohibition of interment, inurnment, or memorialization 
in an Army National Military Cemetery of persons who have committed 
certain crimes.

    (a) Prohibition. Notwithstanding Sec. Sec.  553.12-553.16, 553.18, 
and 553.22, pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 985 and 38 U.S.C. 2411, the 
interment, inurnment, or memorialization in an Army National Military 
Cemetery of any of the following persons is prohibited:
    (1) Any person identified in writing to the Executive Director by 
the Attorney General of the United States, prior to his or her 
interment, inurnment, or memorialization, as a person who has been 
convicted of a Federal capital crime and whose conviction is final 
(other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the President).
    (2) Any person identified in writing to the Executive Director by 
an appropriate State official, prior to his or her interment, 
inurnment, or memorialization, as a person who has been convicted of a 
State capital crime and whose conviction is final (other than a person 
whose sentence was commuted by the Governor of the State).
    (3) Any person found under procedures specified in Sec.  553.21 to 
have committed a Federal or State capital crime but who has not been 
convicted of such crime by reason of such person not being available 
for trial due to death or flight to avoid prosecution. Notice from 
officials is not required for this prohibition to apply.
    (4) Any person identified in writing to the Executive Director by 
the Attorney General of the United States or by an appropriate State 
official, prior to his or her interment, inurnment, or memorialization, 
as a person who has been convicted of a Federal or State crime causing 
the person to be a Tier III sex offender for purposes of the Sex 
Offender Registration and Notification Act, who for such crime is 
sentenced to a minimum of life imprisonment and whose conviction is 
final (other than a person whose sentence was commuted by the President 
or the Governor of a State, as the case may be).
    (b) Notice. The Executive Director is designated as the Secretary 
of the Army's representative authorized to receive from the appropriate 
Federal or State officials notification of conviction of capital crimes 
referred to in this section.
    (c) Confirmation of person's eligibility. (1) If notice has not 
been received, but the Executive Director has reason to believe that 
the person may have been convicted of a Federal capital crime or a 
State capital crime, the Executive Director shall seek written 
confirmation from:
    (i) The Attorney General of the United States, with respect to a 
suspected Federal capital crime; or
    (ii) An appropriate State official, with respect to a suspected 
State capital crime.
    (2) The Executive Director will defer the decision on whether to 
inter, inurn, or memorialize a decedent until a written response is 
received.


Sec.  553.21  Findings concerning the commission of certain crimes 
where a person has not been convicted due to death or flight to avoid 
prosecution.

    (a) Preliminary inquiry. If the Executive Director has reason to 
believe that a decedent may have committed a Federal capital crime or a 
State capital crime but has not been convicted of such crime by reason 
of such person not being available for trial due to death or flight to 
avoid prosecution, the Executive Director shall submit the issue to the 
Army General Counsel. The Army General Counsel or his or her designee 
shall initiate a preliminary inquiry seeking information from Federal, 
State, or local law enforcement officials, or other sources of 
potentially relevant information.
    (b) Decision after preliminary inquiry. If, after conducting the 
preliminary inquiry described in paragraph (a) of this section, the 
Army General Counsel or designee determines that credible evidence 
exists suggesting the decedent may have committed a Federal capital 
crime or State capital crime, then further proceedings under this 
section are warranted to determine whether the decedent committed such 
crime. Consequently the Army General Counsel or his or her designee 
shall present the personal representative with a written notification 
of such preliminary determination and a dated, written notice of the 
personal representative's procedural options.
    (c) Notice and procedural options. The notice of procedural options 
shall indicate that, within fifteen days, the personal representative 
may:
    (1) Request a hearing;
    (2) Withdraw the request for interment, inurnment, or 
memorialization; or
    (3) Do nothing, in which case the request for interment, inurnment, 
or memorialization will be considered to have been withdrawn.
    (d) Time computation. The fifteen-day time period begins on the 
calendar day immediately following the earlier of the day the notice of 
procedural options is delivered in person to the personal 
representative or is sent by U.S. registered mail or, if available, by 
electronic means to the personal representative. It ends at midnight on 
the fifteenth day. The period includes weekends and holidays.
    (e) Hearing. The purpose of the hearing is to allow the personal 
representative to present additional information regarding whether the 
decedent committed a Federal capital crime or a State capital crime. In 
lieu of making a personal appearance at the hearing, the personal 
representative may submit relevant documents for consideration.
    (1) If a hearing is requested, the Army General Counsel or his or 
her designee shall conduct the hearing.
    (2) The hearing shall be conducted in an informal manner.
    (3) The rules of evidence shall not apply.
    (4) The personal representative and witnesses may appear, at no 
expense to the Government, and shall, in the discretion of the Army 
General Counsel or his or her designee, testify under oath. Oaths must 
be administered by a person who possesses the legal authority to 
administer oaths.
    (5) The Army General Counsel or designee shall consider any and all 
relevant information obtained.
    (6) The hearing shall be appropriately recorded. Upon request, a 
copy of the record shall be provided to the personal representative.
    (f) Final determination. After considering the opinion of the Army 
General Counsel or his or her designee, and any additional information 
submitted by the personal representative, the Secretary of the

[[Page 65885]]

Army or his or her designee shall determine the decedent's eligibility 
for interment, inurnment, or memorialization. This determination is 
final and not appealable.
    (1) The determination shall be based on evidence that supports or 
undermines a conclusion that the decedent's actions satisfied the 
elements of the crime as established by the law of the jurisdiction in 
which the decedent would have been prosecuted.
    (2) If an affirmative defense is offered by the decedent's personal 
representative, a determination as to whether the defense was met shall 
be made according to the law of the jurisdiction in which the decedent 
would have been prosecuted.
    (3) Mitigating evidence shall not be considered.
    (4) The opinion of the local, State, or Federal prosecutor as to 
whether he or she would have brought charges against the decedent had 
the decedent been available is relevant but not binding and shall be 
given no more weight than other facts presented.
    (g) Notice of decision. The Executive Director shall provide 
written notification of the Secretary's decision to the personal 
representative.


Sec.  553.22  Exceptions to policies for interment, inurnment, or 
memorialization at Arlington National Cemetery.

    (a) As a national military cemetery, eligibility standards for 
interment, inurnment, or memorialization are based on honorable 
military service. Exceptions to the eligibility standards for new 
graves are rarely granted. When granted, exceptions are for those 
persons who have made significant contributions that directly and 
substantially benefited the U.S. military.
    (b) Requests for an exception to the interment or inurnment 
eligibility policies shall be considered only after the individual's 
death.
    (c) Requests for an exception to the interment or inurnment 
eligibility policies shall be submitted to the Executive Director and 
shall include any documents required by the Executive Director.
    (d) The primary next of kin is responsible for providing and 
certifying the authenticity of all documents and swearing to the 
accuracy of the accounting provided to support the request for 
exception to the interment or inurnment eligibility policies.
    (e) Disapproved requests will be reconsidered only when the 
personal representative or next of kin submits new and substantive 
information not previously considered by the Secretary of the Army. 
Requests for reconsideration shall be submitted directly to the 
Executive Director. Requests for reconsideration not supported by new 
and substantive information will be denied by the Executive Director 
after review and advice from the Army General Counsel or his or her 
designee. The Executive Director shall notify the personal 
representative or next of kin of the decision of the reconsideration. 
The decision by the Secretary of the Army or the Executive Director, as 
the case may be, is final and not appealable.
    (f) Under no circumstances, will exceptions to policies be 
considered or granted for those individuals prohibited from interment 
by virtue of Sec.  553.20 or Sec.  553.21.


Sec.  553.23  Placement of cremated remains at Army National Military 
Cemeteries.

    All cremated remains shall be interred or inurned. The scattering 
of cremated remains and the burial of symbolic containers are 
prohibited in Army National Military Cemeteries.


Sec.  553.24  Subsequently recovered remains.

    Subsequently recovered identified remains of a decedent shall be 
reunited in one gravesite or urn, or as part of a group burial either 
in an Army National Military Cemetery or other cemetery. Subsequently 
recovered identified remains may also be interred in the Arlington 
National Cemetery Tomb of Remembrance. Unidentified remains (which may 
or may not be comingled) may also be interred in the Arlington National 
Cemetery Tomb of Remembrance.


Sec.  553.25  Disinterments and disinurnments of remains.

    (a) Interments and inurnments in Army National Military Cemeteries 
are considered permanent.
    (b) Requests for disinterment or disinurnment of individually 
buried or inurned remains are considered requests for exceptions to 
this policy, and must be addressed to the Executive Director for 
decision. The request must include:
    (1) A full statement of the reasons for the disinterment or 
disinurnment of the remains from the personal representative or primary 
next of kin who directed the original interment or inurnment if still 
living, or if not, the current personal representative or primary next 
of kin;
    (2) A notarized statement from each living close relative of the 
decedent that he or she does not object to the proposed disinterment or 
disinurnment; and
    (3) A notarized statement by a person who has personal knowledge of 
the decedent's relatives stating that the persons giving statements 
comprise all of the decedent's living close relatives.
    (4) An appropriate funding source for the disinterment or 
disinurnment, as disinterments and disinurnments of individually buried 
or inurned remains must be accomplished without expense to the 
Government.
    (c) The Executive Director shall carry out disinterments and 
disinurnments directed by a court of competent jurisdiction upon 
presentation of a lawful, original court order and after consulting 
with the Army General Counsel or his or her designee.
    (d) Remains interred in a group burial may be disinterred only if, 
after the completion of identification processing of any subsequently 
recovered remains, each decedent's remains have not been individually 
identified and it is determined that available technology is likely to 
assist in the identification process of the previously interred group 
remains. Requests for disinterment of group remains must be addressed 
to the Executive Director by the appropriate Military Department's 
Secretary or his or her designee for decision. The request must 
include:
    (1) A statement from the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action 
Accounting Command certifying that subsequent to the interment or 
inurnment of the decedents, remains have been recovered from the site 
of the casualty incident, and that the remains of each individual U.S. 
citizen, legal resident, or former service member have not been 
previously identified from either the remains originally recovered or 
from the subsequently recovered portions.
    (2) Sufficient circumstantial and anatomical evidence from the 
Joint Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, which when 
combined with contemporary forensic or other scientific techniques, 
would lead to a high probability of individual identification of the 
interred group remains.
    (3) Copies of the Military Department's notification to all the 
living close relatives of the decedents advising them of the proposed 
disinterment.
    (4) A time period identified by the Joint Prisoner of War/Missing 
in Action Accounting Command during which it proposes to perform 
forensic or scientific techniques for individual identification 
processing.
    (5) An anticipated time period as to when the Joint Prisoner of 
War/Missing in Action Accounting Command will return any unidentified 
remains to Arlington National Cemetery or will

[[Page 65886]]

notify the cemetery that individual identifications of the group 
remains are complete and no remains will be returned.
    (e) Disinterment or disinurnment is not permitted for the sole 
purpose of splitting remains or permanently keeping any portion of the 
remains in a location other than Arlington National Cemetery.
    (f) Disinterment of previously designated group remains for the 
sole purpose of individually segregating the group remains is not 
permitted unless the requirements of paragraph (d) of this section are 
met.


Sec.  553.26  Design of Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, 
and memorial markers.

    (a) Headstones and memorial markers shall be white marble in an 
upright slab design. Flat-type granite markers may be used, at the 
Executive Director's discretion, when the terrain or other obstruction 
precludes use of an upright marble headstone or memorial marker.
    (b) Niche covers shall be white marble.
    (c) The Executive Director shall approve the design of headstones 
and memorial markers erected for group burials, consistent with the 
policies of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.


Sec.  553.27  Inscriptions on Government-furnished headstones, niche 
covers, and memorial markers.

    (a) Inscriptions on Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, 
and memorial markers will be made according to the policies and 
specifications of the Secretary of the Army, consistent with the 
policies of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
    (b) No grades, titles, or ranks other than military grades granted 
pursuant to title 10, United States Code, will be engraved on 
Government-furnished headstones, niche covers, and memorial markers. 
Honorary grades, titles, or ranks granted by States, governors, and 
others shall not be inscribed on headstones, niche covers, or memorial 
markers.
    (c) Memorial markers must include the words ``In Memory of'' 
preceding the inscription.
    (d) The words ``In Memory of'' shall not precede the inscription of 
a decedent whose remains are interred or inurned.


Sec.  553.28  Private headstones and markers.

    (a) Construction and installation of private headstones and markers 
in lieu of Government-furnished headstones and markers is permitted 
only in sections of Army National Military Cemeteries in which private 
memorials and markers were authorized as of January 1, 1947. These 
headstones or markers must be of simple design, dignified, and 
appropriate for a military cemetery as determined by the Executive 
Director.
    (b) The design and inscription of a private headstone or marker 
must be approved by the Executive Director prior to its construction 
and placement. All private headstones and markers will be designed to 
conform to the dimensions and profiles specified by the Executive 
Director and will be inscribed with the location of the gravesite.
    (c) Placement of a private headstone or marker is conditional upon 
the primary next of kin agreeing in writing to maintain it in a manner 
acceptable to the Government. Should the headstone or marker become 
unserviceable at any time and the primary next of kin fail to repair or 
replace it, or if the marker is not updated to reflect all persons 
buried in that gravesite within 6 months of the most recent burial, the 
Executive Director reserves the right to remove and dispose of the 
headstone or marker and replace it with a standard, Government-
furnished headstone or marker.
    (d) The construction of a headstone or marker to span two 
gravesites will be permitted only in those sections in which headstones 
and markers are presently spanning two gravesites and only with the 
express understanding that in the event both gravesites are not 
utilized for burials, the headstone or marker will be relocated to the 
center of the occupied gravesite, if possible. Such relocation must be 
accomplished at no expense to the Government. The Executive Director 
reserves the right to remove and dispose of the headstone or marker and 
to mark the gravesite with a Government-furnished headstone or marker 
if the personal representative or primary next of kin fails to relocate 
the headstone or marker as requested by the Executive Director.
    (e) Separate headstones or markers may be constructed on a lot (two 
gravesites) for a service member and spouse, provided that each 
headstone or marker is set at the head of the gravesite after interment 
has been made.
    (f) At the time a headstone or marker is purchased, arrangements 
must be made with an appropriate commercial firm to ensure that 
additional inscriptions will be promptly inscribed following each 
succeeding interment in the gravesite. Foot markers must be authorized 
by the Executive Director and may only be authorized when there is no 
available space for an inscription on the front or rear of a private 
headstone.
    (g) Except as may be authorized for marking group burials, ledger 
monuments of freestanding cross design, narrow shafts, and mausoleums 
are prohibited.


Sec.  553.29  Permission to construct private headstones and markers.

    (a) Headstone firms must receive permission from the Executive 
Director to construct a private headstone or marker for use in Army 
National Military Cemeteries or to add an inscription to an existing 
headstone or marker in an Army National Military Cemetery.
    (b) Requests for permission must be submitted to the Executive 
Director and must include:
    (1) Written consent from the personal representative or primary 
next of kin;
    (2) Contact information for both the personal representative or 
primary next of kin and the headstone firm; and
    (3) A scale drawing (no less than 1:12) showing all dimensions, or 
a reproduction showing detailed specifications of design and proposed 
construction material, finishing, carving, lettering, exact inscription 
to appear on the headstone or marker, and a trademark or copyright 
designation.
    (c) The Army does not endorse headstone firms but grants permission 
for the construction of headstones or markers in individual cases.
    (d) When using sandblast equipment to add an inscription to an 
existing headstone or marker, headstone firms shall restore the 
surrounding grounds in a timely manner as determined by the Executive 
Director to the condition of the grounds before work began and at no 
expense to the Government.


Sec.  553.30  Inscriptions on private headstones and markers.

    An appropriate inscription for the decedent will be placed on the 
headstone or marker in accordance with the dimensions of the stone and 
arranged in such a manner as to enhance the appearance of the stone. 
Additional inscriptions may be inscribed following each succeeding 
interment in the gravesite. All inscriptions will be in accordance with 
policies established by the Executive Director.


Sec.  553.31  Memorial and commemorative monuments (other than private 
headstones or markers).

    The placement of memorials or commemorative monuments in Arlington 
National Cemetery will be carried out in accordance with 38 U.S.C. 
2409(b).

[[Page 65887]]

Sec.  553.32  Conduct of memorial services and ceremonies.

    (a) The Executive Director shall ensure the sanctity of public and 
private memorial and ceremonial events.
    (b) All memorial services and ceremonies within Army National 
Military Cemeteries, other than official ceremonies, shall be purely 
memorial in purpose and may be dedicated only to:
    (1) The memory of all those interred, inurned, or memorialized in 
Army National Military Cemeteries;
    (2) The memory of all those who died in the military service of the 
United States while serving during a particular conflict or while 
serving in a particular military unit or units; or
    (3) The memory of the individual or individuals to be interred, 
inurned, or memorialized at the particular site at which the service or 
ceremony is held.
    (c) Memorial services and ceremonies at Army National Military 
Cemeteries will not include partisan political activities.
    (d) Private memorial services may be closed to the media and public 
as determined by the decedent's primary next of kin.
    (e) Public memorial services and public wreath-laying ceremonies 
shall be open to all members of the public to observe.


Sec.  553.33  Visitors rules for Army National Military Cemeteries.

    (a) Visiting hours. Visiting hours shall be established by the 
Executive Director and posted in conspicuous places. No visitor is 
permitted to enter or remain in an Army National Military Cemetery 
outside the established visiting hours.
    (b) Destruction or removal of property. No person shall destroy, 
damage, mutilate, alter, or remove any monument, gravestone, niche 
cover, structure, tree, shrub, plant, or other property located within 
an Army National Military Cemetery.
    (c) Conduct within Army National Military Cemeteries. Army National 
Military Cemeteries are a national shrine to the honored dead of the 
Armed Forces, and certain acts and activities, which may be appropriate 
elsewhere, are not appropriate in Army National Military Cemeteries. 
All visitors, including persons attending or taking part in memorial 
services and ceremonies, shall observe proper standards of decorum and 
decency while in an Army National Military Cemetery. Specifically, no 
person shall:
    (1) Conduct any memorial service or ceremony within an Army 
National Military Cemetery without the prior approval of the Executive 
Director.
    (2) Engage in demonstrations prohibited by 38 U.S.C. 2413.
    (3) Engage in any orations, speeches, or similar conduct to 
assembled groups of people, unless such actions are part of a memorial 
service or ceremony authorized by the Executive Director.
    (4) Display any placards, banners, flags, or similar devices within 
an Army National Military Cemetery, unless first approved by the 
Executive Director for use in an authorized memorial service or 
ceremony. This rule does not apply to clothing worn by visitors.
    (5) Distribute any handbill, pamphlet, leaflet, or other written or 
printed matter within an Army National Military Cemetery, except a 
program approved by the Executive Director to be provided to attendees 
of an authorized memorial service or ceremony.
    (6) Bring a dog, cat, or other animal (other than a service animal 
or military working dog) within an Army National Military Cemetery. 
This prohibition does not apply to persons living in quarters located 
on the grounds of the Army National Military Cemeteries.
    (7) Use the cemetery grounds for recreational activities (e.g., 
physical exercise, running, jogging, sports, or picnics).
    (8) Ride a bicycle or similar conveyance in an Army National 
Military Cemetery, except with a proper pass issued by the Executive 
Director to visit a gravesite or niche. An individual visiting a 
relative's gravesite or niche may be issued a temporary pass by the 
Executive Director to proceed directly to and from the gravesite or 
niche on a bicycle or similar vehicle or conveyance.
    (9) Operate a musical instrument, a loudspeaker, or an audio device 
without a headset within an Army National Military Cemetery.
    (10) Drive any motor vehicle within an Army National Military 
Cemetery in excess of the posted speed limit.
    (11) Park any motor vehicle in any area of an Army National 
Military Cemetery designated as a no-parking area.
    (12) Leave any vehicle in the Arlington National Cemetery Visitors' 
Center parking area or Soldiers' and Airmen's Home National Cemetery 
visitors' parking area more than thirty minutes outside of established 
visiting hours or anywhere else in an Army National Military Cemetery 
outside of established visiting hours.
    (13) Consume or serve alcoholic beverages without prior written 
permission from the Executive Director.
    (14) Possess firearms without prior written permission from the 
Executive Director. This prohibition does not apply to law enforcement 
and military personnel in the performance of their official duties. In 
accordance with locally established policy, military and law 
enforcement personnel may be required to obtain advance permission from 
the Executive Director of the Army National Military Cemeteries prior 
to possessing firearms on the property of an Army National Military 
Cemetery.
    (15) Deposit or throw litter or trash on the grounds of the Army 
National Military Cemeteries.
    (16) Engage in any disrespectful or disorderly conduct within an 
Army National Military Cemetery.
    (d) Vehicular traffic. All visitors, including persons attending or 
taking part in memorial services and ceremonies, will observe the 
following rules concerning motor vehicle traffic within Arlington 
National Cemetery:
    (1) Visitors arriving by car and not entitled to a vehicle pass 
pursuant to paragraph (d)(2) of this section are required to park their 
vehicles in the Visitors' Center parking area or at a location outside 
of the cemetery.
    (2) Only the following categories of vehicles may be permitted 
access to Arlington National Cemetery roadways and issued a permanent 
or temporary pass from the Executive Director:
    (i) Official Government vehicles being used on official Government 
business.
    (ii) Vehicles carrying persons on official Cemetery business.
    (iii) Vehicles forming part of an authorized funeral procession and 
authorized to be part of that procession.
    (iv) Vehicles carrying persons visiting the Arlington National 
Cemetery gravesites, niches, or memorial areas of relatives or loved 
ones interred, inurned, or memorialized within Arlington National 
Cemetery.
    (v) Arlington National Cemetery and National Park Service 
maintenance vehicles.
    (vi) Vehicles of contractors who are authorized to perform work 
within Arlington National Cemetery.
    (vii) Concessionaire tour buses authorized by the Executive 
Director to operate in Arlington National Cemetery.
    (viii) Vehicles of employees of ANMC as authorized by the Executive 
Director.


Sec.  553.34  Soliciting and vending.

    The display or distribution of commercial advertising to or 
solicitation of business from the public is strictly prohibited within 
an Army National Military Cemetery, except as authorized by the 
Executive Director.


Sec.  553.35  Media.

    All officials and staff of the media are subject to the Visitors 
Rules enumerated

[[Page 65888]]

in Sec.  553.33 and shall comply with the Department of the Army's 
media policy.

[FR Doc. 2016-23087 Filed 9-23-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-03-P
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