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VA patients in disaster
zone being evacuated

Question: I have a relative undergoing treatment in a Veterans Affairs hospital on the Gulf Coast. I have been unable to contact him. What is the status of the VA in that region, and is there a way to contact my relative?

Answer: New Orleans VA Medical Center patients are being evacuated to VA medical centers in Houston; Jackson, Miss.; and Shreveport and Alexandria, La. The Biloxi VA Medical Center is one of only two operating hospitals in that area. The Gulfport VA Medical Center is completely closed. VA deployed 286 medical staff to support VA medical centers in Houston; Biloxi, Miss.; Alexandria, La.; and Jackson, Miss.

VA has established a national toll-free hotline for veterans and family members seeking information on evacuated patients and obtaining health services. The number is 1-800-507-4571 and will be staffed around the clock until the crisis subsides. Due to VA's electronic medical record system, evacuated patient records are available at any VA medical center.

Q: My question deals with protocol involving the U.S. flag at a military funeral. My father, who was in the military, died recently, and a flag was draped over his coffin. He was divorced and his second wife is deceased. I am the oldest surviving son. Who should get the flag?

A: When actually used to drape the casket or accompany the urn of the veteran, the flag must be delivered to the next of kin (or to a close friend or associate when no claim is made by the next of kin). If there is no living relative or one cannot be located, and no friend or associate requests the flag, it must be returned to the nearest VA facility. The next of kin is defined with entitlement priority in the order listed: widow or widower; children, according to age (minor child may be issued a flag on application signed by guardian); parents, including adoptive stepparents and foster parents; brothers or sisters, uncles or aunts; nephews or nieces; and others (cousins, grandparents, etc.). The term close friend or associate means any person who establishes by evidence that he/she was a close friend or associate of the deceased.