Tester Requests VA Under Secretary of Memorial Affairs Restore Damaged Headstones ‘as quickly as possible’ in Billings Cemetery

Ranking Member: “They represent the final resting ground of those who honorably served our country”

As the only member of the Montana delegation to serve on the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Ranking Member Jon Tester is requesting the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs take immediate action to restore 32 veteran headstones after they were damaged by a vehicle crash at Mountview Cemetery in Billings.

“Given the age of these headstones, and the fact most are completely shattered, Chris Waite, superintendent of Mountview Cemetery, has expressed concerns that it may be challenging to capture all of the correct information required,” Tester wrote to VA Under Secretary Randy Reeves. “Therefore, I am requesting that you and your staff work directly with Mountview Cemetery and the City of Billings to repair and replace each of these damaged headstones. They represent the final resting ground of those who honorably served our country, and they must be restored as quickly as possible.”

Read Tester’s full letter to Under Secretary Reeves HERE.