April 15, 2011

Manchin Cosponsors "Serve" Act to Strengthen Privacy and Dignity for Families at Military Funerals

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Joe Manchin is cosponsoring a bipartisan bill that would increase privacy and dignity for families at military funerals.

"The brave men and women who give their lives for our freedoms should receive all our honor and respect, and their families who must bear the terrible pain of their loss deserve no less,” Senator Manchin said. "I truly believe that the actions of those who protest at military funerals must be condemned in the strongest terms, and that is why passing the SERVE Act is so critical. I wish the protesters could go overseas where our brave servicemembers are fighting every day for their freedoms; I'm sure they would think twice about their ugly protests."

Background:

The Sanctity of Eternal Rest for Veterans, or “SERVE” Act (S.815), would increase the quiet time before and after military funeral services from 60 minutes to 120 minutes; increase the buffer around a military funeral service from 150 feet to 300 feet; increase the buffer around access routes to a funeral service from 300 feet to 500 feet; and increase penalties on those who violate the law.

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