DON’T BURY VETERANS WITH SEX ABUSERS

    U.S. Representative Vicky Hartzler’s June newsletter arrived this morning, and I was pleased to learn that she is concentrating on the really big issues of the day. 

          Congresswoman Hartzler provided us with updates on three important issues.  The first update covered her support for the shoreline residents of the Lake of the Ozarks.  Another paragraph blasted President Obama for whatever. The remaining major section of her newsletter was devoted to a progress report on her co-sponsored H.R. 2355 – The Hallowed Ground Act which, if passed by Congress, would prohibit sex abusers from being buried in graveyards allocated for U.S. veterans.  One of Hartzler’s constituents had complained to her that her husband, a veteran, was going to be buried in a cemetery reserved for veterans.  She claimed that her husband did not deserve to be buried with military honors in that cemetery because he had sexually abused her.  Thus, the birth of the Hallowed Ground Act.  

          Through the years this has been a major concern of mine.  When I die, I would be horrified to be buried in the same ground as some sex abuser.  While I have a great deal of confidence in Vicky Hartzler’s bill, I have decided not to take any chances.  I am, therefore, directing that when I die, my body is to be cremated and my ashes are to be tossed into the sky.

          Unless Hartzler’s bill provides for a judge and jury to determine the validity of a sexual abuse case, it would seem to me that an honorable discharge from the military would be the only requirement for burial in a national/veteran’s cemetery.

          I hope Hartzler’s bill gets rapid passage.  Perhaps then she can begin concentrating on other important issues of the day.

                                                                   Carl B. Foster

                                                                   Warrensburg, MO 64093

                                                                   660-747-3569