Honoring the memory of veterans with Presidential Memorial Certificate

Tuesday, August 5, 2014 - 4:31pm

A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President, to honor the memory of honorably discharged deceased Veterans. This program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents.

Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers the PMC program by preparing the certificates which bear the current President’s signature expressing the country’s grateful recognition of the Veteran’s service in the United States Armed Forces.

Eligible recipients include the next of kin and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased Veterans. More than one certificate may be provided. Eligible recipients, or someone acting on their behalf, may apply for a PMC in person at any VA regional office or by U.S. mail or toll-free fax. Requests cannot be sent via email. Please be sure to enclose a copy of the Veteran's discharge and death certificate to verify eligibility, as the request cannot be processed without proof of honorable military service. Please submit copies only, as original documents will not be returned.

If you have already requested a PMC more than sixteen (16) weeks ago and have not received it, please call 1-202-565-4964 to find out the status of your request. Please do not send a second application unless requested to do so. You can find more information on this program at http://www.cem.va.gov/pmc.asp. Our office can also assist with applications for a certificate.

The Kings County Veterans Service Office issues Veteran I.D. cards to honorably discharged veterans. Contact Joe Wright if you would like to receive periodic veteran’s information by email. There are many state and federal benefits and programs available to veterans and their dependents. To find out if you are eligible for any of these benefits, visit or call our office. We can and will assist you in completing all required application forms. You can get information on the Web from the Kings County Veterans Service

Office webpage at www.countyofkings.com.

Joe Wright, retired Navy Master Chief Petty Officer, is the Veterans Service Officer for KingsCounty. Send your questions to the Veterans Service Office, 1400 W. Lacey Blvd, Hanford, CA93230; call 852-2669; or e-mail joe.wright@co.kings.ca.us.