Legislation aimed at correcting religious symbols on the grave markers of Jewish-American servicemembers buried overseas has passed the U.S. Senate. The bill, known as the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act, was introduced by Senators Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, and Jacky Rosen (D-Nev.).
The act would establish a 10-year program within the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to identify and research cases where Jewish-American servicemembers are interred under grave markers that do not accurately reflect their religion or heritage. According to estimates, approximately 600 American-Jewish servicemembers killed in action during World War II are buried under Latin Crosses instead of the Star of David.
If errors such as incorrect religious indications are found, ABMC will replace the grave marker. However, this process must be initiated by a decedent’s next of kin who can provide supporting evidence.
“All veterans, especially Jewish-American veterans who have served and sacrificed for our nation’s freedoms, deserve to have their faith accurately represented at their final resting places,” said Sen. Moran. “This legislation makes certain that the religious heritage of those who have died for our country is rightfully represented at their gravesites and gives their families the lasting comfort of knowing their loved one’s faith is recognized and memorialized with dignity and truth. I look forward to its swift passage in the U.S. House of Representatives.”
“Our fallen veterans and servicemembers made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation, and we owe it to them to ensure they are honored with dignity and accuracy at their final resting place,” said Sen. Rosen. “I’m glad to see that our bipartisan legislation to make sure our servicemembers and their faith are correctly reflected at their gravesites has passed the Senate.”
The bill now moves to consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Cosponsors include Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), John Cornyn (R-Texas), Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Jim Banks (R-Ind.), Patty Murray (D-Wash.), David McCormick (R-Pa.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), James Lankford (R-Okla.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Jon Husted (R-Ohio), Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.).
The legislation has received support from several organizations including Jewish War Veterans of America, Gold Star Spouses of America, Vietnam Veterans of America, Jewish Community Relations Bureau of Kansas City, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors, Military Order of the Purple Heart, Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States, Mid-Kansas Jewish Federation, Non-Commissioned Officers Association, and Jewish Federations of North America.
