Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs
Encyclopedia
The Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs is a senior position within the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
that directs the National Cemetery Administration, which maintains 128 national cemeteries
and provides burial services for veterans of the United States military and eligible family members. The Under Secretary is nominated by the President
and confirmed by the Senate
. President Obama has not named an Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Steve L. Muro, the Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, is the Acting Under Secretary.
The previous Under Secretary was William F. Tuerk, who was sworn in on October 28, 2005.
In addition to the maintenance and operation of national cemeteries, the Under Secretary is also responsible for their land acquisition, design, and construction. Other memorial programs overseen by the Under Secretary include the provision of headstone
s, markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates---engraved paper certificates signed by the current president---to honor deceased veterans' service. The Under Secretary also administers federal grant
s to help states establish state veterans' cemeteries.
The position was created by the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998, which was signed by President Clinton
on November 11, 1998. As a result of the Act, the organization led by a Director, the National Cemetery System, evolved from an agency into an administration led by an Under Secretary when it was renamed to the National Cemetery Administration. From April 1998 to early September 2000, a series of Acting
Directors and Acting Under Secretaries headed the Administration. Two of these were Roger R. Rapp and Mike Walker
, with the latter later being confirmed by the United States Senate. They were followed by Under Secretaries Robin L. Higgins and John W. Nicholson
.
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
that directs the National Cemetery Administration, which maintains 128 national cemeteries
United States National Cemetery
"United States National Cemetery" is a designation for 146 nationally important cemeteries in the United States. A National Cemetery is generally a military cemetery containing the graves of U.S. military personnel, veterans and their spouses but not exclusively so...
and provides burial services for veterans of the United States military and eligible family members. The Under Secretary is nominated by the President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and confirmed by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. President Obama has not named an Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. Steve L. Muro, the Deputy Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, is the Acting Under Secretary.
The previous Under Secretary was William F. Tuerk, who was sworn in on October 28, 2005.
In addition to the maintenance and operation of national cemeteries, the Under Secretary is also responsible for their land acquisition, design, and construction. Other memorial programs overseen by the Under Secretary include the provision of headstone
Headstone
A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, usually stone, that is placed over a grave. In most cases they have the deceased's name, date of birth, and date of death inscribed on them, along with a personal message, or prayer.- Use :...
s, markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates---engraved paper certificates signed by the current president---to honor deceased veterans' service. The Under Secretary also administers federal grant
Federal grant
In the United States, federal grants are economic aid issued by the United States government out of the general federal revenue. A federal grant is an award of financial assistance from a federal agency to a recipient to carry out a public purpose of support or stimulation authorized by a law of...
s to help states establish state veterans' cemeteries.
The position was created by the Veterans Programs Enhancement Act of 1998, which was signed by President Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
on November 11, 1998. As a result of the Act, the organization led by a Director, the National Cemetery System, evolved from an agency into an administration led by an Under Secretary when it was renamed to the National Cemetery Administration. From April 1998 to early September 2000, a series of Acting
Acting (law)
In law, when someone is said to be acting in a position it can mean one of three things.*The position has not yet been formally created.*The person is only occupying the position temporarily, to ensure continuity.*The person does not have a mandate....
Directors and Acting Under Secretaries headed the Administration. Two of these were Roger R. Rapp and Mike Walker
Robert M. Walker
Robert Michael Walker was United States Under Secretary of the Army 1997-1998.-Biography:Robert M. Walker was born in Martin, Tennessee, in 1948. He attended the University of Tennessee. From 1969-1976, he worked as a staff assistant to Rep. Joe L. Evins .Walker joined the staff of Senator Jim...
, with the latter later being confirmed by the United States Senate. They were followed by Under Secretaries Robin L. Higgins and John W. Nicholson
John W. Nicholson
John W. Nicholson, Brigadier General, US Army , was appointed secretary of the American Battle Monuments Commission by President George W...
.