VA Grave Marker

[Craig Jones]

Need some help here.  My only Nephew was murdered in San Diego October of 1992.  He was in the Navy and received an Honorable discharge.  His mother, my sister, is here visiting for several days and I just found out he never received a VA grave marker.  She does not have his Soc Sec number or his DD-214.  His wife kept everything and has pretty much severed ties.  Does anyone know how I can get a copy of his DD-214 and a grave marker etc.

[Rick Hodge (ROH)]

  Can you get all the information you can on him most importantly his date of service then submit a VA form 180

[Craig jones]

Thanks Rick

[Paul Albertine]

politicians ain't worth much, but every congressman has a Veteran rep in their office...mine is an young lady from the Air Force, does nothing but Veteran biz...has direct link to Senators office, who also has a Veteran rep....

they will help, find out who your congressman is and launch a call...

good luck, he deserves the recognition

[Mike Brinck]

Craig - send his name and dates of service and death to me and I will see if he is in the VA system.  

[e-mail]

MB
SW70
9/69-970

[Craig Jones]

Thanks Mike.  His name and date of death/birth are as follows.  My sister, his mother, is here visiting from Arizona and I promised I would look into this for her.  Long story as to why we have not done anything before this, but she will get me his dates of service as best she can when she gets home next week.  I assumed all these years they had done this but now I'm told they just gave up trying because his widow would not provide his military paperwork.

Michael Christopher Champion
Born Dec 21, 1963
Date of death:  Oct 5, 1992
Entered Navy on delayed entry:  Sept 82
Off to boot campm:  Sept 82
Discharged:  Sept 86

[MIke Brinck]

Craig - pls call me at 202-226-3668 and I can give you some data.  Also if you go to

http://www.cem.va.gov/hmm/

at the bottom of the page, you will find a form to order a headstone.  If his grave already has a headstone, VA will not provide one.  BUT, they will provide a bronze medallion suitable for mounting on the existing headstone.

According to VA, the family did receive a flag.

MB

[MIke Brinck]

Craig - here's a picture of the bronze marker:

http://www.cem.va.gov/cem/images/medallion15.jpg

[Craig Jones]

Mikes mother and father asked me to thank you.  Hoping someday we are able to find a way to show our appreciation.  

[MIke Brinck]

Craig - their thanks was more than sufficient and I appreciate you passing it along.
MB