Where do I get a Flag for a funeral of a honorably discharged man, when the VA refuses to give us a flag? Help

Question

The funeral is TOMORROW...

Thanks everyone.

I keep seeing I'm not giving you the full information.

The FULL information is, I'm doign this for friends of mine (the only remained survivers...his two daughters) and they are just heart broken over loosing him, so they asked me to get the flag.

He is not having a milatery servase.

The family cannot afford a large funeral (i.e. they can only pay for a funeral director for 1 hour).

He was in the Air Force, and was Honorably discharged in 63' after 4 years of servase.

The VA was called and they said while he was entilted to recive a flag, they were unwilling to provide one, and they would NOT give an explanation why.

I just tried the American Leigons and they won't provide one either. I called around to the V.F.W.'s for help and one said that it wasn't right and are giving me one.

But still, I don't think it's right the VA isn't giving us one.

Thank you everyone.

Answer 1

Call your Senator or Congressman... they can provide a flag that was flown over the US Capitol. Good luck!

Answer 2

I am a funeral director and if you have the proper documentation then a funeral home should help you to obatin a flag. The probelm comes in if you do not have the proper documentation that the deceased was a veteran. All people that are discharged from the military wheter honorably or not will receive a from DD 214. This is the form that is needed not only to receive a flag but also to be able to recieve a veterans grave markers as well as being buried in a veterans cemetery.

The biggest question I have is why do they not want to supply the flag. If you need help why don't you email me and I will try to help you.

[e-mail]

Answer 3

when my grandfather died (who was a 25 year retiree) the VA didnt provide the flag..the only thing they provided was the retiree death benefit (which 4 years of service wouldnt entitle this man to).....we had to have the funeral director coordinate with the VFW on the flag and military honors.....and they arranged for his burial at the veterans cemetery for us too. You said that this isnt gonna be a military service perhaps thats why they are refusing you?...usually the whole flag thing comes into play when you have the whole military service because it is folded by the honor guard and presented to the family. Sort of defeats the purpose it its taken off the coffin by someone not in uniform.

Answer 4

Try calling the American Legion or VFW they usually have a group that takes care of the arrangements for a Military funeral for an Honorably discharged vet and provide the flag and honor guard for the former service member. Good luck and sorry for your loss.

Answer 5

The Funeral home should have them available. Some may charge extra.

Contact any local VFW, Vietnam Vets of America, American Legion in your area. They may want to see proof he was a honorably discharged vet.
Many posts have flags available and NO the VA does not provide flags, they only provide a small amount towards the burial expense.

Answer 6

the law states that 1 flag may be provided for an honorable veteran who...
-served during wartime
-died on active duty after May 27, 1941
-served after January 31, 1955
-was a peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950

and certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951

and certain former members of the Selected Reserves

without the VA approving this flag, it actually breaks the law if you have one. It sounds like there is perhaps more complexity to this story than the question covers.

Answer 7

The flag is taken care of through the funeral home. The funeral director needs a copy of the DD-214 to prove military service.

Answer 8

Go to ACE Hardware they sell flags but to get the larger one you may be out of luck. Look in the yellow pages.

The VA is saying no for a reason. If this person should be getting one they would be getting the full military ceremony to go with it. We do not disregard our veterans. Something else is going on and either you don't know or you are not telling us. Can't help you without information.

Answer 9

First of all I'm sorry for your loss. Unfortunately the V.A. does not have the resources to offer flags to every hon. discharged vet. If you think about it, nation wide that could run into tens of thousands of dollars a day. Consider how many men and women from say 90 years of age to 23 have served honorably and been discharged. With the cost of the flags and the shipping its just not feasible. There are lots of options though. Flag shops, surplus stores, and yes perhaps with a special request even your congressman or senator can help. Try the V.F.W. if he was a vet. of a foreign war.

Answer 10

Why would they do this. It's part of the members benefits. Did they pay for the headstone?
Here's the criteria for recieving a flag from the VA.

-veteran who served during wartime

-veteran who died on active duty after May 27, 1941

-veteran who served after January 31, 1955

-peacetime veteran who was discharged or released before June 27, 1950

-certain persons who served in the organized military forces of the Commonwealth of the Philippines while in service of the U.S. Armed Forces and who died on or after April 25, 1951

-certain former members of the Selected Reserves

Did your family member serve after WW2 and get out before 1955?
Call your congressman pronto. Any Senator or rep worth thier weight will get you one.

Answer 11

Why would the VA refuse to give you one?

In any event, you can buy one at any Lowes or Home Depot. You can also check with your congressman about getting a flag. If all else fails, I'm sure that the Funeral Home can help you.