Senate Passes Bill to Authorize Honor Guard for Military Burials at Washington Crossing National Cemetery

The State Senate today approved legislation sponsored by state Senator Robert M. "Tommy" Tomlinson (R-Bucks) and Senator Chuck McIlhinney (R-Bucks) to allow for formal military burials for veteran soldiers at Washington Crossing National Cemetery in Bucks County.

Current law does not provide for honor guard burial details at Washington Crossing National Cemetery because it is a new cemetery. Only Indiantown Gap National Cemetery in Lebanon County and National Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County are authorized for such burials.

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 pleased the Senate overwhelming supported this legislation to ensure that veterans interred at Washington Crossing will receive military honors," said Tomlinson, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs & Emergency Preparedness Committee. "This is an important step in ensuring that 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."

Senate Bill 1186 now goes to the House of Representatives for consideration.

Contact:

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