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]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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