(U.S. Senate) — Yesterday, the Senate unanimously passed the Mark Our Place Act—bipartisan legislation introduced by Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Chairman Jon Tester (D-Mont.), U.S. Senators Mike Braun (R-Ind.), and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) to allow the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to honor all Medal of Honor recipients with a headstone, grave marker, or medallion. Currently these memorial honors are only available to Medal of Honor recipients who served after 1917.

“Our brave Medal of Honor recipients deserve a final resting place that honors their incredible service and sacrifices—no matter when they served,” said Tester. “Our commonsense bill will ensure we’re preserving these heroes legacies by rightfully memorializing all Medal of Honor recipients, and I urge my colleagues in the House to quickly take action on this legislation.”

“Our Medal of Honor recipients are the best America has to offer,” said Braun. “I was proud to introduce this bill to memorialize the valor of all Medal of Honor recipients, and I’m so proud to see it pass the U.S. Senate on its way to become law.”

“Yesterday we moved one step closer to ensuring that all Medal of Honor recipients have their legacy preserved and their memories honored,” said Brown. “We will never forget the debt we owe our veterans, and we’re humbled by their commitment to service.” 

This bill now moves to the U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.