VA Grants Burial Rights for Same-Sex Oregon Couple

Bulletin Today | Home & Family | PoliticsBy Steven Dubois of The Associated Press PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — The Department of Veterans Affairs has decided to allow the same-sex spouse of a member of the military to be buried in a U.S. national cemetery. VA Secretary Eric Shinseki used his discretionary authority to allow the burial of Nancy Lynchild’s ashes, the agency said Thursday. U.S. Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), who called Shinseki last month to lobby for the action, said the Oregon couple will become the first …