A Virginia state lawmaker has drafted a bill that would allow more veterans killed in Iraq and Afghanistan to be listed on the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond, a move inspired by a retired Airman whose son died in a helicopter crash in Iraq.

The bill from Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, would require the memorial to list the names of service members killed in non-hostile activities, such as accidents, in designated combat areas.

Rick Schumann, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant, lost his son, Marine Lance Cpl. Darrell Schumann, when the helicopter he was in flew into a sandstorm and crashed en route to a mission. Thirty other troops also died in the January 2005 crash.

Though Darrell Schumann had earned combat decorations and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia War Memorial officials refused to include his name on a proposed expansion of the wall because he did not die in combat. That policy dates to the first Gulf War.

Rick Schumann's effort to memorialize some other 40 Iraq and Afghanistan war veterans from Virginia who died in non-hostile incidents drew support from across the country. "There's been a huge outpouring," he said.

The General Assembly convenes next month in Richmond.