Presidential Memorial Certificate
Encyclopedia
A Presidential Memorial Certificate (PMC) is an engraved paper certificate, signed by the current President of the United States
, to honor the memory of honorably discharged
deceased veterans.
The 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.
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, to honor the memory of honorably discharged
Military discharge
A military discharge is given when a member of the armed forces is released from their obligation to serve.-United States:Discharge or separation should not be confused with retirement; career U.S...
deceased veterans.
The program was initiated in March 1962 by President John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
and has been continued by all subsequent Presidents. Statutory authority for the program is Section 112, Title 38, of the United States Code
United States Code
The Code of Laws of the United States of America is a compilation and codification of the general and permanent federal laws of the United States...
.
The Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
(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
United States armed forces
The United States Armed Forces are the military forces of the United States. They consist of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Coast Guard.The United States has a strong tradition of civilian control of the military...
.
Eligible recipients include the next of kin
Next of kin
Next of kin is a term with many interpretations depending on the jurisdiction being referred to. In some jurisdictions, such as the United States, it is used to describe a person's closest living blood relative or relatives...
and loved ones of honorably discharged deceased veterans. More than one certificate may be provided.