# Plain Language Summary: Mark Our Place Act

The Mark Our Place Act removes a restriction that currently prevents Medal of Honor recipients from receiving government-provided headstones or grave markers in certain situations. Right now, the government will only furnish these markers for Medal of Honor recipients if they served during specific time periods. This bill eliminates that date restriction, meaning any Medal of Honor recipient—regardless of when they served—can now receive a government headstone or marker for their grave.

This change matters because Medal of Honor recipients are among our nation's most decorated veterans, having performed acts of extraordinary heroism. Some Medal of Honor recipients from earlier periods in American military history may not have received proper grave markers, or their markers may have deteriorated over time. This bill ensures that the Department of Veterans Affairs can now furnish or replace headstones, markers, or medallions for any Medal of Honor recipient's grave without worrying about whether their service dates fall within certain approved windows.

The practical effect is straightforward: families of Medal of Honor recipients will have better access to government assistance in ensuring their loved ones have appropriate grave markers. This removes a bureaucratic barrier that previously existed and honors these service members by guaranteeing they can receive this recognition regardless of when they served in the Armed Forces. The bill also includes a technical correction to update references to the correct section of veterans law.

Mark Our Place Act

Luttrell, Morgan

Mark Our Place ActThis bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish a headstone, marker, or medallion signifying the status of a deceased member of the Armed Forces as a Medal of Honor recipient regardless of when the member served. Under current law, only Medal of Honor recipients who served after 1917 are eligible for such markers.