William Thomas 1440 N Street, N.W., Apt. 410 Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 462-0757 September 25, 1988 Freedom of Information Officer Veteran's Administration Washington, D.C. RE: Freedom of Information Act and/or Freedom of Privacy Act concerning William J. McCall and/or William Davis. Dear Sir or Madam: A couple of months ago an individual, known to me as William J. McCall ("Sarge"), and whose Social Security Number I have been given reason to believe was S.S.I. # 571-55-2591, asked me to promise him that in the event of his death I would do all I could to insure that he would be buried in Arlington national cemetery. On or about September 4, 1988, Sarge died in George Washington University hospital. At this point, from what little information I have been able to gather, it does not appear that Sarge had any next of kin, and, on September 5, 1988, I identified a body at the District of Columbia Medical Examiner's Office, which I knew to be the corpus delicti of the individual formerly known to me as Mr. William J. McCall. Subsequently, on September 6, 1988, as a next-of-friend, I contacted an individual named Kitt Angel, who, I was given to believe, is employed by the Veteran's Administration in the capacity of some sort of social worker. At that time I informed Ms. Angel of Sarge's death, and that myself and a number of his Sarge's wanted to insure that his request to be buried in a national cemetery be honored. Additionally I made several other contacts with different individuals in the VA both by phone and personal visits to the building on Vermont Ave. N.W.. See enclosure. Although Ms. Kitt has never been downright uncivil to me, I regret to say that she has not been exceptionally helpful. Despite the fact that she was provided with my telephone number, she never relayed any information to me concerning Sarge's eligabiliy for burial in a national cemetery, his survivors, or his service record. In fact on the several occasions when I called her seeking information on those matters she either a) claimed not yet to have had knowledge as to eligability, or B) acted as if I was requesting some top-secret national security information. Assuming Ms. Angel is indeed an employee of the Veteran's Administration, in my opinion she has not been reasonably candid, or of much assistance. From Ms. Sharon Hunt (202-338-8301), a social worker affil- iated which the Grace Church in Georgetown, I have been given to believe that William J. McCall was not the name by which the corpus delicti identified by me on September 5, 1988 is identified in VA records. According to Ms. Hunt, to the best of my knowledge and recollection, Sarge was known to the VA as William Davis, who has no known next-of-kin, but who did serve in the armed forces between the years of 1961 and 1964, and is eligable for burial in Quantico National Cemetary. I am not entirely satisfied with the accuracy of this information and believe that, as next-of-friend, I am entitled to such service records as might bear on Sarge's burial eligability under VA regulations as well as any information regarding next-of kin. The D.C. Medical Examiner will only hold the corpus deliciti -- whatever its name -- for thirty days, twenty-one or so of which have already elapsed. Still I have received no firm commitment from any VA official as regards to the VA's position in this matter. In light of the foregoing, therefore, please consider this letter as a formal reguest prsuant to the Freedom of Information Act and/or Freedom of Privacy Act concerning service records, burial eligability under VA regulations, as well as any information regarding next-of kin contained in Veteran's Administration records pertaining to the individual who died in the George Washington University Hospital on or about September 4, 1988, was known as William J. McCall and/or William Davis S.S.I. # 571-55-2591, and whose corpse is presently in the custody of the District of Columbia Medical Examiner's Office, awaiting burial pending action by the Veteran's Administration. Your prompt response would be greatly appreciated. Feel free to contact me immediately should you require any additional information. Your friend Thomas One enclosure. William Thomas 1440 N Street, N.W., Apt. 410 Washington, D.C. 20005 (202) 462-0757 September 19, 1988 Kitt Angel Veteran's Administration Washington, D.C. Dear Ms. Angel: It is my understanding that a veteran who was awarded a silver star or higher decoration is still elligable for burial in Arlington national cemetery. This is to request that you complete the proper inquiries to ascertain whether William J. McCall (S.S.I. # 571-55-2591) was awarded a silver star or other honor which would entitle him to burial in Arlington. A couple of months ago Mr. McCall ("Sarge") asked my promise that, in the event of his death, I would do all I could to insure his burial in Arlington national cemetery. As you are aware Sarge died in George Washington hospital on or about September 4, 1988. You may be aware that on September 5, 1988 I identified Mr. McCall's body at the District of Columbia Medical Examiner's Office. You may also recall that on September 6, 1988 I contacted you by phone at the CCNV shelter, 2nd and D Streets, informed you of Sarge's death, and that a number of his friends are concerned that his last request be honored and that he be buried in a national cemetery. I have also made several other contacts with different individuals in the VA both by phone and personal visits to the building on Vermont Ave. N.W.. The D.C. Medical Examiner will only hold the body for thirty days, fifteen of which have elapsed, yet there is still no firm commitment as to the VA's position with regards Mr. McCall's elligibility for veteran's burial benefits. Please be advised that the cost of Mr. McCall's internment may be a potential problem if the VA will not assume them. I would appreciate knowing for certain that the VA will not allow Sarge to be cremated by the city. It is my understanding that only fifteen days remain within which the proper arrangements must be made. Your friend Thomas