Larkin Legislation Moves Out of Veterans Committee

Bill Would Prohibit Cemeteries From Selling Historic Cemetery Markers or Monuments

Legislation sponsored by Senator Bill Larkin (R-C, Cornwall-on-Hudson) to prohibit the sale of veteran’s cemetery markers or monuments moved out the Senate Committee on Veterans, Homeland Security and Military Affairs this week.  Senate bill S.1504 prohibits the unauthorized sale of commemorative cemetery markers, flag holders, monuments, statues or other physical memorabilia from the graves of veterans that are over 75 years old by cemeteries if such property is currently placed or located within a cemetery.

“We have found that legislation of this nature is needed to preserve the integrity of our veterans’ graves,” said Senator Larkin.  “Currently, there is no legislation of this nature on the books in New York to protect these types of items.  The instances of cemetery corporations selling valuable markers, statues and monuments is on the increase due to the monetary and historic value of those items,” said Larkin.  “The Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War brought this issue to my attention as many of the Civil War era items are valuable because of their age and the ornate style in which they were designed and constructed.  I believe this legislation is an appropriate way for New York to honor the life and death of those veterans,” said Larkin.

The bill is currently on the Senate Calendar awaiting action by the full Senate.  The companion bill, A.2885,  is sponsored in the Assembly by Assemblyman Joe Morelle and is currently in the Veterans’ Affairs Committee.