One upstate congressman is looking to help lighten the load for military families.

Rep. Tim Kennedy is introducing the "Our Heroes Act" legislation, which would allow families of veterans who died prior to Nov. 1, 1990 to request a free headstone from the government.

Right now, Kennedy says those families are ineligible due to a cost cutting measure passed back in 1990.

“Our servicemembers have made enormous sacrifices for our country. Our nation owes it to our fallen heroes and their families to provide a tribute at their final resting place befitting their service,” Kennedy said. “The Honoring Our Heroes Act will allow families to request a government-issued headstone at no cost, for loved ones who served, regardless of the year they passed. I especially want to thank Jody Mellerski, who took up the fight to properly commemorate her father, Technical Sergeant Florian J. Fenclau—a World War II veteran, prisoner of war, and recipient of the Purple Heart. I now urge my colleagues to take up my bill to honor our heroes across the country.” 

Military gravestones are requested through the National Cemetery Administration, which is part of the Department of Veterans Affairs.