Metro East Sun

Rep. Morgan Luttrell, Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs, addressed concerns regarding military funerals at Arlington National Cemetery and operations by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Cemetery Administration. During a subcommittee hearing, Luttrell criticized the Army's handling of its Caisson Platoon operations, which were suspended in May 2023 due to inadequate care for caisson-pulling horses.

"In 2022, caisson-pulling military horses were dying because Army failed to provide them with proper food, veterinary care, stables, and pastureland," Luttrell stated. He noted that despite spending millions attempting to resume operations without expert guidance, the Army's efforts resulted in further harm to the horses.

Luttrell emphasized the importance of resuming these services promptly: "For over 200 years our country has found a way to give our nation’s veterans the proper horse-drawn burial they have earned." He urged the Army to prioritize sustainable operations for military funerals.

The hearing also examined VA's progress toward providing burial options within 75 miles for 95% of veterans. The VA oversees 155 national cemeteries across various states and territories through its Veterans Cemetery Grants Program. While acknowledging VA's efforts in maintaining cemeteries and accountability measures, Luttrell pointed out issues such as delays and increased costs in establishing new cemeteries due to lack of cost estimate best practices.

"Our goal today is to discuss where we need to fill gaps to ensure every veteran nationwide has a final resting place," he said. The discussion aimed at identifying solutions for funding and training challenges faced by grant-funded cemeteries.

The session included testimonies from Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp and Admiral Jon Kreitz about improving Caisson Platoon operations and ensuring better service delivery by both Army and VA for veterans' families.

"I look forward to discussing how each agency can better fulfill that duty," concluded Luttrell before yielding the floor to Ranking Member Pappas.