Timeline of Jon’s work on the Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery
(YCVC)
July 31, 2012
At Tester’s urging, the VA recognizes
YCVC as a National Veterans Burial Ground
March 7, 2012
Tester meets with VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Steve L. Muro, to get an update on the rural veterans national cemetery initiative and to advocate for providing such a designation to the YCVC in a timely manner.
February 14, 2012
After much urging from Tester, the budget for fiscal year 2013 includes a provision to allow the VA National Cemetery Administration to purchase land from rural cemeteries in eight states, including Montana
January 23, 2012
Tester meets with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to push again for national designation of the YCVC
January 4, 2012
Tester writes to Shinseki to encourage him to designate the YCVC as a national VA cemetery
July 21, 2011
Tester pushes Shinseki to establish a national veterans cemetery at the YCVC
July 20, 2011
Tester includes language in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act calling on the VA to allow rural cemeteries like the YCVC to become VA National Cemeteries
July 8, 2011
Tester connects Shinseki with Yellowstone County Commissioner Bill Kennedy to talk about the YCVC
July 8, 2011
Tester brings Shinseki to Montana to hear from local veterans. During their trip to Billings, Shinseki heard from local veterans and advocates about the importance of national designation for the YCVC
March 1, 2011
Tester meets with Shinseki to continue to push for national recognition of the YCVC
July 21, 2010
Tester writes to Shinseki to request that the YCVC be added to the list of national VA cemeteries