Bill > S1318

This bill establishes the Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Program, which requires the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) to identify American-Jewish servicemembers who were mistakenly buried under Latin Crosses in United States military cemeteries overseas during World War I and World War II. The program will run for 10 fiscal years and involves the ABMC contracting with a nonprofit organization (preferably one with expertise in this area) to research and contact survivors and descendants of these servicemembers. Each year, the program will be funded with $500,000, and it aims to correctly identify and honor approximately 900 Jewish servicemembers whose religious heritage was not accurately represented on their burial markers. The bill emphasizes the importance of recognizing the contributions of American-Jewish soldiers and ensuring that those who died in service are properly memorialized. A "covered member" is defined as a deceased Jewish Armed Forces member buried in an overseas military cemetery under a marker that does not reflect their Jewish identity. The ultimate goal is to correct historical mistakes and provide appropriate recognition for these fallen servicemembers.

Military Affairs and Security

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/1318/all-info