I grew up on Long Island, New York, graduated with a BA in government from Cornell University, served in the Army on active duty for 20 years, and then as an Army civilian for another 15 years. I am the grandson and son of Army veterans, World Wars I and II. My hobbies include photography, astronomy and solar eclipse chasing, often all at once. Retired now, I live in Medford, New Jersey, with Lulu, the dachshund.
In 2010 I visited the Florida Keys Memorial (AKA the 1935 Hurricane Monument), in Islamorada, Florida. I was struck by the absence of any names on the memorial, neither veteran nor civilian. Memorializing the estimated 228 civilian victims is clearly the responsibility of their families, but the 258 dead veterans are entitled to memorials furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) at Government expense. Over the years, through the efforts of myself and many others, 95 veterans have received either private or VA headstones/grave markers and memorials. But, until recently, 164 veterans, whose remains are unavailable for burial, were refused memorials by the VA because of a disputed regulation allowing only family member applicants. None had ever applied. In 2022 the U.S. Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, ruling in Bareford v. McDonough, set aside the regulation, thereby permitting anyone to apply on behalf of eligible veterans. Finally, in 2023 the VA placed memorials for the veterans at South Florida National Cemetery. The inspiration for Veterans Key arose from my research on this case.

– Richard Bareford (Author Page: https://veteranskey.com)