HIRONO COMMENDS VA FOR PUBLIC ANNOUNCEMENT OF OPEN PUNCHBOWL GRAVE SITES

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Mazie K. Hirono commended the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement today that it plans to more broadly communicate the availability of open grave sites at Punchbowl’s National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific.

“Secretary Shinseki’s leadership has been critical in helping to resolve this situation at Punchbowl. Our conversation was productive, and today’s announcement is good news,” said Hirono. “The decision to publicly announce the availability of in-ground sites helps honor those who served in the United States Armed Forces and those who have given their lives in doing so. Clearly, these brave men and women and their families deserve no less. Moving forward, we must all do our part to help spread awareness to our service members, veterans and their families.”

After becoming aware of the open gravesites, Senator Hirono and her staff worked directly with the VA to address this issue.