Between me and my husband we have three military parents,... They are all still alive, but I heard that these sort of things have to be taken care of ahead of time or they won't have a chance of a military funeral, or a headstone at Arlington. My husband and I are very proud of our parents' service and want to make sure that they are honored for it as best we can, you know, 21 gun salute, headstone at Arlington,... you know!
P.S. Also, I was wondering who of our parents qualifies for a military funeral, My dad retired after 21 years of service, my mom is still in the military and plans to do the same, and my father-in-law served eighteen years before being honorably discharged with the military cutbacks in the eighties.
It's not that I like to think about this,... just want to make sure all is taken care of and done properly.
2007-11-12 10:21:22 · 6 answers · asked by ? 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Contact the Retirement services Office at you nearest Military Post.
Also contact your local American Legion.
2007-11-12 10:26:19 · answer #1 · answered by SFC_Ollie 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Contact your local VFW. Most have a funeral detail including color guard, riflemen for 21 gun salute, flag bearers and folders, buglers, and if needed pall bearers. They do it for free. That's for ceremonies at local cemetaries. They give every veteran the respect they deserve and membership in the VFW IS NOT necessary.
For funeral services at Arlington which includes availability, you'll have to contact the nearest military installation, any branch.
2007-11-12 18:30:51 · answer #2 · answered by GRUMPY 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Go here: www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil
You can see what honors to expect.
Make arrangements wwth a funeral home, most will help you arrange honors with a service organization like VFW or American Legion, or you can contact them yourself.
Take a copy of the veteran's DD214 (Discharge) with you to the funeral home.
2007-11-12 18:36:44 · answer #3 · answered by RTO Trainer 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
All veterans are entitled to a military funeral, complete with the flag, salute, and bugler, providing the veterans recieved honorable discharges.
Contact the casualty office of the nearest military installation. They will come to you if you request it.
2007-11-12 18:25:58 · answer #4 · answered by Ben 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a local funeral home your family deals with??? Usually, they can take care of everything. It helps, if they know your wishes in advance.
Stop and talk to them. It'd be a lot easier now, when you don't actually need anything to be done, rather than at the time of death, and things have to be done on a moment's notice and you are upset and may overlook something.
2007-11-12 18:30:27 · answer #5 · answered by TedEx 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Contact the nearest American Legion or Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). They will assist you.
2007-11-12 18:26:05 · answer #6 · answered by rance42 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋