Section 180-RICR-20-00-1.1 - IntroductionA. The purpose of the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery is to provide a final resting place for Rhode Island veterans who served in the Armed Services of the United States. R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-25-14, entitled Burial of Veterans, establishes the legal basis for the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery (RIVMC) located in the town of Exeter, Rhode Island. The Office of Veterans Services is responsible for RIVMC and authorized by the statute to establish all necessary Rules and Regulations for the operation of the cemetery.B. This is a state veterans cemetery of memorial design, with all grave markers placed flush with ground level. Keeping with military tradition, the cemetery's landscaping, including trees, shrubs and flowers, are designed to honor all veterans and their families, not individual gravesites.C. In compliance with the statutory charge contained in R.I. Gen. Laws § 30-25-14 and the Aid for the Establishment, Expansion, and Improvement, or Operation and Maintenance, of Veterans Cemeteries, 38 C.F.R. Part 39, the following Rules and Regulations have been adopted pursuant to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-1, et seq. These Rules and Regulations governing the Rhode Island Veterans Memorial Cemetery are the official policy for the administration of the RIVMC by the Office of Veterans Services. In addition, these Regulations comply with 38 C.F.R. Part 39.D. Overall supervision of the cemetery is vested in the Cemetery Administrator by the Director of the Office of Veterans Services. The Cemetery Administrator is authorized to ensure compliance with cemetery Regulations and posted notices. Anyone refusing to comply with these Regulations or other valid direction from the Cemetery Administrator, will be asked to leave the cemetery. The Rhode Island State Police will be notified upon repeat violations and/or the refusal to obey a request from the Cemetery Administrator.E. These Regulations are designed to uphold the pledge of dignity, respect and fair treatment for each veteran and their family, while maintaining the safety and solemnity of the cemetery for all visitors. In keeping with this pledge, the Director of the Office of Veterans Services, or his or her designee, reserves the right to make any necessary corrections in the course of operating the cemetery. This may include but is not limited to interments, disinterment, setting of grave markers, or amendment to official records. Any need for corrections should be brought to the attention of the Cemetery Administrator.F. Appeals of any decision made by the Cemetery Administrator under these Regulations should be made to the Director of Veterans Services.G. All inquiries and complaints should be directed to the Cemetery Administrator at 401-268-3088, or by visiting the Administration Office Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.180 R.I. Code R. 180-RICR-20-00-1.1
Amended effective 2/2/2021