VA, Civil Air Patrol chaplain corps to support families of Veterans at national cemeteries

WASHINGTON — The Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Chaplain Service  teams up with the Civil Air Patrol Chaplain Corps to expand Veterans’ families access to qualified faith leaders during committal and memorial services held at VA cemeteries.

VA’s National Chaplain Service provides administrative support, training and other services to assist CAP in supporting VA national cemeteries and providing chaplain coverage when a VA chaplain is not available.

“The partnership, implemented in December 2021, came about from increased requests from family members asking for chaplain support during burial services at NCA cemeteries,” said VA Chaplain Program Manager for Family Care and Bereavement Chad Maxey. “Working with Civil Air Patrol expands our ability to provide trained chaplains, whether from VA or CAP, to Veterans’ families when they need it most.”

Every VA Medical Center has chaplain services available to Veterans and their families that represent a broad spectrum of religious traditions. Family members of Veterans may request chaplain support through their local VA Chaplain Service Office when scheduling a burial.

“Our chaplains stand ready to help families honor the memory and legacy of their loved ones,” said Civil Air Patrol National Commander Maj. Gen. Edward D. Phelka. “We look forward to working with VA in support of this noble mission.”

In 2021, VA’s National Cemetery Administration conducted more than 150,000 burials, an all-time high dating back to its establishment in 1973. For more information on VA support services, burials and memorials, visit VA’s National Cemetery Administration.