Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 1424) to amend title 38, United States Code, to ensure the Secretary of Veterans Affairs permits the display of Fallen Soldier Displays in national cemeteries.

The Clerk read the title of the bill.

The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 1424

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act''. SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION FOR FALLEN SOLDIER DISPLAYS IN NATIONAL CEMETERIES.

Section 2403 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection:

``(d)(1) Subject to standards established by the Secretary, the Secretary shall permit the display of a Fallen Soldier Display in any national cemetery.

``(2) In this subsection, the term `Fallen Soldier Display' means a memorial monument in honor of fallen members of the Armed Forces that may include a replica of an inverted rifle, boots, helmets, and identification tag.''.

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Mr. TAKANO. 1424.

Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 1424, the Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act, introduced by Representative Anthony Gonzalez of Ohio.

This act permits the Secretary of the VA to allow the Fallen Soldier Display, also known as the Battlefield Cross Memorial, in national cemeteries.

Battlefield crosses honor fallen soldiers using symbols of their service. These symbols have evolved since their initial use in the American Revolutionary War when they were used as a crude marker as the position of a fallen soldier. The cultural position remains today, as units in theater traditionally hold a remembrance ceremony in country to allow the unit to pay last respects to those killed in action.

These displays are meant to honor those who lost their lives in service by featuring replicas of inverted rifles, boots, helmets, and identification tags. A U.S. Army field manual states: ``The helmet and identification tags signify the dead soldier. The inverted rifle with bayonet signals a time for prayer, a break in the action to pay tribute to our comrade. The combat boots represent the final march of the last battle.''

VA's National Cemetery Administration currently allows for display of a cross, but it has not specifically addressed the Battlefield Cross Memorial. In fact, in 2017, a Battlefield Cross Memorial was removed from the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery.

Though the cemetery ultimately decided to restore the memorial, this legislation would ensure the Battlefield Cross Memorial would also be permitted at national cemeteries and prevent future misinterpretations.

Mr. Speaker, we recognize the sacrifices of the women and men who gave their lives in service to our Nation and the right of a community to honor its fallen heroes. I urge all Members to support H.R.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1424, the Fallen Warrior Battlefield Cross Memorial Act. This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs' national cemeteries to allow the display of the battlefield cross, which is a monument that depicts a fallen servicemember by an inverted rifle with a helmet and dog tags on top and a pair of combat boots at the bottom. We have all seen this.

In 2017, a VA employee misinterpreted VA policy and removed a battlefield cross from the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery, as well as two other similar memorials in cemeteries in Illinois and Michigan. The objection to the memorials were that they contained realistic depictions of firearms.

As one Ohio veteran described, this image is one that veterans ``have seen in battlefields, on ships, on aircraft carriers, wherever we lost men. It's a symbol of respect and thanks. . . . It means a lot to veterans.''

I could not have said it better myself, Mr. Speaker; although, I do note that the battlefield cross is a powerful symbol that is used to honor all of our fallen warriors, both men and women.

In response to veterans' and congressional concerns over the incident, the Department reinstated the memorial monuments and clarified that VA cemeteries can display this image. However, this bill is necessary to codify that policy and to ensure that VA does not ban this image ever again.

This bill has my full support, and I appreciate Congressman Anthony Gonzalez from Ohio for introducing it and for his leadership on this issue.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I have no further speakers.

Mr. DAVID P. ROE of Tennessee. I appreciate the gentleman is a new Member, but it didn't take him long to jump into gear and to recognize a wrong and to right that wrong.

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Mr. TAKANO. Mr. Speaker, I wish to associate myself with the remarks of the ranking member regarding the beautiful work that our Cemetery Administration does for our veteran cemeteries and the National Battle Monuments Commission for the work they do with our cemeteries abroad. They are truly the pride of our country and fitting ways to show our gratitude and respect for those who have fallen in the service of our country.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Gonzalez for his work on this bill. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing H.R. 1424, and I yield back the balance of my time.

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