WASHINGTON, D.C — Last week U.S. Senators John Fetterman (D-PA) and Kevin Cramer (R-ND) introduced the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act, a bipartisan bill designed to permanently expand burial benefits provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). This legislation seeks to rectify an existing policy limitation by allowing the VA to offer memorial headstones or markers for veterans, their spouses, and dependent children, irrespective of the date of their passing, thereby ensuring military families can be honored together in perpetuity.
The bill is inspired by the poignant story of Dennis “Denny” Krisfalusy, a U.S. Air Force veteran who served during the Vietnam War, and his wife Lois. Both tragically lost their lives in the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, but due to current VA regulations, Lois could not be memorialized alongside Dennis because she died before the cutoff date of November 11, 1998. Senator Fetterman articulated the broader implications of this policy, stating, “Our veterans and their families have sacrificed so much and they deserve to be honored together without arbitrary barriers in the way.”
By eliminating the date restrictions that currently dictate eligibility for VA burial markers, the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act offers a solution to a longstanding issue that affects numerous military families. Senator Cramer highlighted the importance of this legislative change, explaining, “The spouses and families of our men and women in uniform serve and sacrifice alongside their loved ones, and Congress should ensure they can stay together in their final resting place.”
The bipartisan nature of the bill is underscored by its widespread support across party lines, with representation from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, including Representatives Guy Reschenthaler, Chris Deluzio, John Joyce, Mike Kelly, Dan Meuser, G.T. Thompson, and Julia Brownley. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to addressing the needs of military families and correcting what many see as an institutional oversight.
The Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act has garnered backing from prominent organizations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), recognizing the significant emotional and symbolic impact this legislative change could have.
For families like the Krisfalusys, this bill represents more than just policy change; it is a chance to honor the life and service of veterans and their loved ones in a dignified manner. As Pat Maxon, Dennis’s sister, expressed, “We were saddened to learn that Lois’s name would not appear on Denny’s stone, as they were united in both marriage and death. Should this bill pass, their marker would forever memorialize their undying love for each other.”
The introduction of the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act signifies a pivotal stride towards ensuring that all military families receive the recognition and respect befitting their service and sacrifice, thereby granting them the peace and closure they rightfully deserve.
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