When a homeless Navy veteran was found dead in the tent she called home, a team quickly came together to take appropriate actions to provide a funeral and final resting place for her at the National Cemetery.
U.S. Navy Dental Assistant Melissa Gail Miner was a service member for 22 months, just shy of the 24-month requirement for burial in the National Cemetery. The Southeast Tennessee Veterans Coalition reached out to Sen. Bill Hagerty’s office to ask for assistance in receiving a waiver to allow Ms. Miner’s burial.
Sam Wolfe of the City’s Office of Homelessness and Supportive Housing said, “Melissa, with her caring heart, would often forgo her own needs to put the needs of others first. In fact, the only time she ever called our outreach team was to solicit help for a friend. Much of the loss of life we see among our homeless population is preventable: Melissa's death underscores how our community must come together to tackle the root causes of homelessness, like building supportive housing and ensuring there's a robust safety net of social services to help people get back on their feet. The Office of Homelessness and Supportive Housing will remember Melissa; her story galvanizes our team in this important work.”
With Sen. Hagerty’s and Senator Marsha Blackburn's assistance, the waiver was approved by Under Secretary Matthew T. Quinn, Memorial Affairs to have Ms. Miner placed in the military cemetery. Over a period of weeks, the military liaison to Sen. Hagerty worked with local entities to arrange for the funeral and final internment.
Capt. Mickey McCamish , U.S. Navy (Retired) said, “Chattanooga has always been known for our dedication to our country and those who provide and support the important work of our military. Today, we are inviting anyone in the area to join us on Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m. at the National Cemetery to pay respects to a member of our military.”
Advantage Funeral Home is providing final arrangements and a motorcade to the cemetery with American Legion Post 95 providing a rifle salute and the U.S. Navy providing the flag folding ceremony and playing of taps. Chaplain Commander Philip E. Sumrall, CHC, U.S. Navy (Retired) will conduct the service.
Capt. McCamish noted, “It is an honor for us to pay respect to the service of Melissa Miner. We want to honor her service to our country and provide her with dignity in her death that she did not find in her life.”
Here is the text of the letter from the senators:
Dear Mr. Under Secretary:
We write to you today regarding the interment of Melissa Miner-Murdock, who served in the
U.S. Navy as a Dental Assistant from 1990 to 1992. Ms. Miner-Murdock served 22 months and
was honorably discharged on March 27, 1992. It is our understanding that Ms. Murdock passed
away in Chattanooga on July 1, 2021. Although she was only two months shy of the 24 month
active duty requirement for placement in a national cemetery, we believe her final resting place
should be amongst her peers at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
We respectfully request you designate this veteran, who served our country honorably for 22
months, eligible for interment at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.
Marsha Blackburn
United States Senator
Bill Hagerty
United States Senator