The Clock Is Ticking: Appeal Denials of FOIA Requests for Veterans' Info

I thought all hope was lost for receiving US military veterans' service and medical info requested since December 2024 under the Freedom of Information Act, at least if I wasn't the documented next of kin for the veteran.

It's thanks to Reclaim the Records that the public has much much much easier access to requesting such records in the first place. They sued on our behalf, won, and created an easy-to-search, free website with built-in request functionality to find the names of US veterans who made some kind of claim to the US Veterans Administration over the past 150+ years. Wow! 

Back story 

I wasn't the only one who searched the database, found veterans in the family tree and the FAN club, and submitted multiple requests to obtain info about veterans in the family tree. My 13 requests were among the approximately 20,000 requests submitted since Reclaim the Records put up its database in late December of 2024. 

But then in the summer of 2025, without warning, the US Veterans Administration began answering such requests with denials, only sending ridiculously "skinny" extracts from the records, rather than the actual records themselves. In some cases, the extract didn't even confirm the veteran's name, let alone the branch of the military or service dates or the veteran's birth or death date. More from Reclaim the Records is here.

Update: ALWAYS APPEAL

Now Reclaim the Records has posted excellent, detailed advice about appealing these FOIA denials. They begin with this advice: ALWAYS APPEAL.

What I particularly appreciate is that the nonprofit has created four suggested letters with detailed legal language for us to use in appealing these denials. You can see the sample letters here.

Time is of the essence. To appeal a denial, I have to send a response to the Department of Veterans Affairs that is received no later than 90 calendar days from the date of the denial letter. The clock is ticking, and I'm copying and pasting from Reclaim the Record's sample language into letters that I personalize as indicated in each sample. 

At top, part of the suggested language for a situation in which I wasn't next of kin but I do know that the veteran was discharged from the military more than 62 years ago.

My fingers are flying over the keyboard. I'll post when I get any response. Go ahead and appeal! 

Korean War Draft Cards Now on Fold3

No April Fool here! A few months ago, Fold3 began posting US draft registration cards from the Korean War era. These offer a unique window into our US male ancestors' lives in the middle of the 20th century.

So far, only cards from the states of Wyoming and Alaska have been put on Fold3, with more cards to be added during this year. Remember: a draft card is only a record of a man's registration with the local draft board--not proof of any military service.

I'm delighted to see all the detail on these cards: Full name, birth date (not just age), birth place, "someone who will always know your address" (FAN club), occupation, employer, industry, exact place of employment. Also marital status and specifically whether living with wife, separated, divorced, or widower--and whether this man is a father. On the back are physical details of height, eye/hair color etc. I already found someone in my husband's family who was, I was surprised to discover, living in Wyoming and had to register!

To learn more about this Fold3 database, see here. 

NOTE: Even though Fold3 is a subscription site, many US public libraries offer remote access with a library card. I get into Fold3 through my Connecticut State Library card. Check whether your library has Fold3 access and happy ancestor hunting!