A mother from Mansfield, Massachusetts has finally won a two-year battle to be buried next to her only son, who was killed in Iraq.
Denise Anderson, mother of deceased Iraq veteran Corey Shea, worked tirelessly to see Congress pass the “Corey Shea Act” this month, after the VA informed her that she could not be buried next to her son in a national veteran’s cemetery. Before the act was passed, the right to be buried next to a veteran was reserved for spouses and children.
Army Spc. Corey Shea was killed in November of 2008. Upon his return to the U.S. Anderson wanted to find out if she could be buried next to him at the Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne. After she was denied, Congressman Barney Frank took up Anderson’s cause, and H.R. 3949 Corey Shea Act was eventually passed. Now, eligible parents of deceased veterans can be buried next to their child in any of the 131 cemeteries managed by the VA National Cemetery Administration. The parents of a fallen serviceman are only eligible if the veteran has no living children or spouse.
In addition to Congressman Frank, a number of prolific politicians took up Anderson’s cause, including Senator John Kerry.
“No parent of a fallen soldier should have to worry about their child being buried alone,” Senator Kerry said. Congressman Frank said that the country “owes” Denise Anderson, who is now a Gold Star Mother.
Spc. Shea was only 21 when he and a fellow soldier were killed in Mosul, Iraq by a uniformed Iraqi soldier. Spc. Shea served with the 3rd Squadron, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment from Fort Hood and had received eight medals during his one year of service. He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star at his funeral.
His mother was “overwhelmed” when she learned that the Corey Shea Act had passed.
“There are just no words to describe it,” Anderson said. “I can find some peace in my life.”
