 | Can I be buried in a national cemetery even though I got out of the Army years ago?
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Answer:
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (http://www.va.gov), formerly known as the Veterans Administration, sets the rules and guidelines for military burials. In general, you can choose a national cemetery as your final resting place if you were honorably discharged or retired from the Army in the usual manner. The guidelines are based on factors such as your length of service, type of service, and, in some instances, the specific years of service. You can confirm your eligibility for burial benefits by calling a veteran's benefits counselor at (800) 827-1000. You can also view the guidelines at www.cem.va.gov.
Keep in mind that any military person who received a dishonorable discharge or was convicted of a state or federal capital crime--either before or after being discharged from the military--will be denied the privilege of interment in a national cemetery.
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