Family fights for change after military vet ineligible for burial at NC cemetery

A family is calling for change after an Iraq war veteran was declared ineligible for burial at a North Carolina state cemetery.

Capt. James Gallagher was stationed in Fort Lee, Virginia with his wife and three daughters when he suddenly died two weeks ago.

After Gallagher died, his wife moved to North Carolina to be near her family.

When she tried to bury her husband, she was told her husband did not meet the residency requirements under state law because Gallagher was not from North Carolina.

The family reached out to the Gov. Roy Cooper’s office and was told an exception could not be made.

However, staff members offered to help the family push for a change in the state law.

Cox Media Group