Committee Approves Legislation to Allow for Military Burials at Washington Crossing National Cemetery

The Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee today approved legislation sponsored by state Senator Tommy Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) to allow for formal military burials of veterans at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County.

Current law does not provide for honor guard burial details at Washington Crossing National Cemetery. Presently Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Lebanon County and National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County are authorized. Senator Tomlinson’s bill, Senate Bill 1186, will expand the authority of the Pennsylvania Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to provide this honor and burial allowance to veterans buried at Washington Crossing.

"I am grateful for the committee’s support of this legislation to ensure that veterans interred at Washington Crossing will receive paid military honors," said Tomlinson, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness Committee. "It moves the bill toward enactment into law, when area veterans will receive the honor that they and their families deserve."

"The Washington Crossing National Cemetery will provide Bucks County families with a way to provide a lasting tribute to some of our bravest citizens," McIlhinney said. "I am thankful that we are another step closer to allowing military burials in an area that will not create a serious hardship for family and friends who wish to pay their respects."

Contact:

Heather Cevasco - Sen. McIlhinney
215-489-5000
Megan Crompton - Sen. Tomlinson
717-787-5072