Fallen vet’s mother seeks relief in a bill
US Representative Barney Frank introduced a bill yesterday to try to clear the way for a grief-stricken Mansfield mother to be buried in a veterans cemetery along with her 21-year-old son, who was killed while serving in Iraq.
Denise Anderson lost her son, Army Specialist Corey Shea, in November 2008 when he was attacked by a renegade Iraqi soldier who turned on the Americans he was accompanying.
After her son’s burial in the National Veterans Cemetery in Bourne, Anderson, with the help of Frank’s office, sought permission from the US Department of Veterans Affairs to be buried with her son when she eventually dies.
“I know he’s with his brothers-in-arms right now, but I want him to be with family,’’ said Anderson, 42. “I don’t want him down there alone.’’
Her request was denied by the Veteran Affairs Department. Current law states that only the spouse or a minor child can be buried with a deceased service member in a US military cemetery. Undeterred, Anderson sought help from Frank, her congressman.
“I got in touch with Barney Frank’s office, and they said the only way it could be done was if the law was changed,’’ said Anderson, whose son was unmarried and had no children. “So I said, ‘Let’s do it!’ and he was gracious enough to help.’’
Frank introduced the bill, HR761, that would allow a parent of a deceased veteran who had no spouse or children to be buried with the veteran in a national cemetery.
He has asked the Veterans Affairs Committee to consider Anderson’s sacrifice.
“The disproportion between what this country owes her and what she is asking is just as large as can be,’’ Frank said. “She lost her son. She has a request that she would rather be buried with him when that day comes. The disproportion can only be embarrassing. I hope we can accommodate this.’’
Harry Gural, communications director for Frank, said he was optimistic about the bill’s chances of becoming law, pointing out that it has already attracted a Republican cosponsor, US Representative Jeff Miller of Florida.
“Even though we have a very polarized Congress, I feel this would be something we could all agree on,’’ Gural said. “I would be surprised if the House didn’t pass it.’’
Gural said the bill stands a much better chance of passing the House if it is first approved by the Veterans Affairs Committee.
Anderson said being allowed to be buried near her son would help her deal with losing him.
“Knowing that I could spend eternity by his side would mean everything to me,’’ she said. “It would give me some peace in my life.’’
