Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs
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 Flag of the Department of Veterans Affairs |
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| Agency overview | |
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| Formed | July 21, 1930 (Cabinet rank 15 March 1989) |
| Preceding agency |
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| Jurisdiction | United States federal government |
| Headquarters | 810 Vermont Avenue NW., Washington, D.C., U.S. 38°54′3.25″N 77°2′5.36″W / 38.9009028°N 77.0348222°WCoordinates: 38°54′3.25″N 77°2′5.36″W / 38.9009028°N 77.0348222°W |
| Employees | 312,841 (2013) |
| Annual budget | $78.4 billion (2013) |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | www.VA.gov |
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 131 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.
On September 2, 2017, President Donald Trump nominated Randy Reeves to become the next Under Secretary of Veterans Affairs for Memorial Affairs. The nomination was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on November 8, 2017. Mr Reeves was sworn in by SECVA on December 12, 2017.
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 headstones, markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates---engraved paper certificates signed by the current president---to honor deceased veterans' service. The Under Secretary also administers federal grants 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 Higgins and John W. Nicholson.
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