WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Chris Deluzio (D-PA), alongside Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler (R-PA), John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Dan Meuser (R-PA), and G.T. Thompson (R-PA) introduced the Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy Act. This bipartisan legislation would provide a memorial headstone or marker through the Department of Veterans Affairs to an eligible spouse or dependent child of a veteran in a national cemetery or state or tribal Veterans cemetery regardless of the date of death. Under current law, eligible spouses and dependent children who passed before November 11, 1998, or after October 1, 2024, are ineligible to be added to a memorial headstone or marker. Additionally, this legislation would update federal law to extend this important veteran benefit beyond 2024 for an additional 10 years.
This bill was named in honor of Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy, a veteran and his spouse who were killed in a Mexico earthquake in 1985. In 2023, Dennis was given a memorial marker at the Cemetery of the Alleghenies in Washington County, Pennsylvania. His wife, Lois, is currently ineligible.
“I am proud to introduce this bipartisan bill and make sure that eligible spouses and children can be included on veterans’ memorial headstones or markers,” said Rep. Deluzio. “This bill is a powerful way to honor how important family is to our nation’s veterans, and to offer comfort to the family members they leave behind.”
“Our veterans and their families dedicate their lives to our country. As a veteran myself, I understand the important role our loved ones play in the lives of our nation’s heroes,” said Rep. Reschenthaler. “I am honored to introduce this commonsense legislation that cuts bureaucratic red tape for families like the Krisfalusys and ensures we provide the utmost support for those who have sacrificed so much for our nation.”
“Ensuring that military spouses can be buried with their loved ones is a vital part of honoring our commitment to the men and women who served our nation in uniform,” said Rep. Joyce.
“1.5 million Americans have died for this great country. This legislation allows us to not only honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, but also to honor their loved ones who made sacrifices of their own,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m proud to join Rep. Reschenthaler and our colleagues on this important legislation. This is a significant step toward honoring military families.”
“The great sacrifices veterans and their families make cannot be overstated,” said Rep. Meuser. “Congress must ensure that arbitrary deadlines do not hinder a military family’s ability to properly honor their loved ones. I appreciate Congressman Reschenthaler’s efforts to support the Krisfalusys and our entire veteran community.”
“Our veterans and their families sacrifice so much for our country, and they too should have the opportunity to be honored with their loved ones,” said Rep. Thompson. “As an Army dad, I am proud to support bipartisan legislation that will correct an outdated law and allow all members of military families to receive the honors they deserve.”
“I would like to thank Congressmen Guy Reschenthaler, Chris Deluzio, John Joyce, Mike Kelly, Dan Meuser, and G.T. Thompson for their efforts towards introducing legislation for my brother, Dennis Krisfalusy, and his beloved wife, Lois Krisfalusy,” said Pat Maxon, sister of Dennis Krisfalusy. “Not only will Lois’s name be engraved on the memorial stone with Denny, but spouses and children of veterans will be entitled to the military rights they justly deserve. Our brother, who served over 20 years in the military, and his wife, who was by his side, should both be recognized for their patriotic duty. We are forever grateful to all who brought this bill to fruition and look forward to its passage for all veterans and their families.”
Dennis and Lois Krisfalusy’s story was previously covered in the Observer-Reporter here.