Timeline of Jons work on the Yellowstone County Veterans Cemetery (YCVC)

July 31, 2012

At Testers urging, the VA recognizes YCVC as a National Veterans Burial Ground
March 7, 2012
Tester meets with VA Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs, Steve L. Muro, to get an update on the rural
veterans national cemetery initiative and to advocate for providing such a designation to the YCVC in a timely
manner.
February 14, 2012
After much urging from Tester, the budget for fiscal year 2013 includes a provision to allow the VA National
Cemetery Administration to purchase land from rural cemeteries in eight states, including Montana
January 23, 2012
Tester meets with VA Secretary Eric Shinseki to push again for national designation of the YCVC
January 4, 2012
Tester writes to Shinseki to encourage him to designate the YCVC as a national VA cemetery
July 21, 2011
Tester pushes Shinseki to establish a national veterans cemetery at the YCVC
July 20, 2011
Tester includes language in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act calling on the
VA to allow rural cemeteries like the YCVC to become VA National Cemeteries
July 8, 2011
Tester connects Shinseki with Yellowstone County Commissioner Bill Kennedy to talk about the YCVC
July 8, 2011
Tester brings Shinseki to Montana to hear from local veterans. During their trip to Billings, Shinseki heard from
local veterans and advocates about the importance of national designation for the YCVC
March 1, 2011
Tester meets with Shinseki to continue to push for national recognition of the YCVC
July 21, 2010
Tester writes to Shinseki to request that the YCVC be added to the list of national VA cemeteries
January 28, 2010
Tester meets with Shinseki to continue to push for national recognition of the YCVC
July 7, 2009
Tester includes language in the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act requiring the
National Cemetery Administration to study the possibility of creating a national cemetery in Montana,
Wyoming, North Dakota, Idaho or eastern Washington.
December 10, 2008
Tester meets with VA Secretary nominee General Eric Shinseki, and pushes for national designation of the
YCVC
November 11, 2008
Tester attends the dedication of the YCVC
May 26, 2008
Tester attends YCVC Groundbreaking ceremony
February 20, 2008
Tester brings VA Secretary Peake to Montana to hear from local veterans. During their trip to Billings,
Secretary Peake hears from local veterans and advocates about the importance of national designation for the
YCVC
January 22, 2008
Tester meets with Peake to continue to push for national recognition of the YCVC
November 6, 2007
Tester meets with VA Secretary nominee Lt. General James Peake. During the meeting, Tester pushes for
national designation of the YCVC