Since the Commission's submittal of its 1980 report, the question of the construction in Virginia of a state veterans' cemetery or cemeteries has dominated the work of the Commission on Veterans' Affairs. In its 1980 report (House Document No. 28, 1980), the Commission had urged (Recommendation No. 6) that Virginia become involved with state veterans' cemeteries. The 1980 General Assembly returned the question to the Commission, the Division of War Veterans' Claims, and the Governor's Office for further study (Senate Joint Resolution No. 2, 1980).

During 1980 and 1981 the Commission held a series of four public hearings at which veterans, veterans' organizations, government officials, and concerned private citizens expressed themselves both concerning veterans' cemeteries and also concerning other veteran-related issues. The Commission found broad-based support for the creation of a state veterans' cemetery or cemeteries. Additionally, the Commission was reminded time and again that, in Virginia, many veterans' needs are either going unmet, or are being but poorly met in comparison to other states.

The Commission, in its work sessions following the conclusion of its hearings, considered the many issues brought before it and, after considering both the needs of Virginia's veterans and the ability of the Commonwealth to meet these needs, urged the consideration by state legislators and other state governmental officials both of its suggested legislation (see Appendix I) and also of its nonlegislative recommendations.