1. Veteran Burial Benefits

2. Why I’m here Of the more than 1,000,000 Veterans living in Southern California …only 12 percent will be buried in a National Cemetery.

3. Who is eligible? All members of the Armed Forces who served at least one day on active duty (prior to 1980) or two years on active duty (after 1980) and discharged under other than dishonorable circumstances. Guard/Reserve members on orders or retired. Spouse Minor children Disabled, unmarried adult children (Conditional)

4. “At the time of need.” No reservations DD-214, Report of Casualty or personal information (name, rank, SSAN, etc.) Funeral director or next of kin contact National Cemetery Scheduling Office. (Have eligibility documentation ready; if none, Scheduling Office staff will assist with verification process.

5. The Benefit Gravesite or niche Opening and closing Headstone or marker Presidential Certificate U.S. flag Perpetual care

6. Military Honors Responsibility of Department of Defense Requested by funeral director

7. Funeral director fees and costs are the responsibility of the family.

8. Bakersfield National Cemetery 30338 East Bear Mountain Boulevard Arvin, CA 93203 Phone: (661) 867-2250 Phone: (866) 632-1845 Fax: (661) 867-2253 Mailing Address: P.O. Box 459 Arvin, CA 93203

9. Contact Information Burial & Plot Allowances – 800-827-1000 Copies of Discharge Documents – National Personnel Records Center Military Personnel Records Office 1 Archives Drive St. Louis, MO 63138 Scheduling Committal Services – National Cemetery Scheduling Office 800-535-1117 (p) 866-900-6417 (f) Other questions – www.cem.va.gov

10. “What can we do right now?” Families are encouraged to prepare in advance by discussing cemetery options and setting aside copies of discharge documents.