Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act

# Fallen Servicemembers Religious Heritage Restoration Act Summary **What It Does:** This bill directs the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC)—the federal agency that maintains U.S. military cemeteries abroad—to identify Jewish service members who were buried in overseas military cemeteries with incorrect religious markers on their graves. Once identified, the ABMC must contact their families and descendants to inform them of the error. The bill requires the ABMC to hire a nonprofit organization to run this restoration program for at least 10 years. **Who It Affects:** The bill primarily affects Jewish military families whose loved ones are buried in U.S.

military cemeteries outside the United States. It also impacts the ABMC and nonprofit organizations that would carry out the identification and notification work. Broadly, it touches on how the military honors the religious identities of fallen service members from all backgrounds. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is now in the legislative process. The legislation addresses a historical issue where some Jewish service members were buried with religious markers that didn't reflect their faith, and seeks to correct these records and notify families so they can be properly honored according to their religious heritage.