My 82-year old father and Navy veteran of WW II received a top notch military funeral yesterday

[NNN0LHI]

It was really touching and it made my mother proud. Two sailors and a marine were there and they really did a great job. It was cold as heck, (I was shaking like a leaf), but they did their duty as if it were summer. I was really impressed with the ceremony.

Don

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_funeral

In the United States, the Department of Defense (DOD) is responsible for providing military funeral honors. "Honoring Those Who Served" is the title of the DOD program for providing dignified military funeral honors to veterans.

As of January 1, 2000, Section 578 of Public Law 106-65 of the National Defense Authorization Act mandates that the U.S. military must provide the rendering of U.S. military funeral honors for an eligible veteran if requested by the family. As provided by law, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran shall consist of not less than two members of the armed forces. One member of the detail shall be a representative of the parent armed service of the deceased veteran. The honor detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of "Taps". "Taps" will be played by a bugler, if available, or by electronic recording. Today, there are so few buglers available that the U.S. military services often cannot provide one. The law allows Reserve and National Guard units to help with funeral honors duty.

Generally, the law allows for military funeral benefits for all veterans who were discharged under circumstances "other than dishonorable." Funeral directors will require the veteran's DD Form 214 to establish eligibility.

[monmouth]

1. I am sorry for your loss....n/t

[Danmel]

39. My deepest sympathies

I lost my dad last year- he was an 89 year old Holocaust survivor. He was liberated by the Americans so I feel a special debt to all who served in World War II. May your memories comfort you.

[undeterred]

2. I'm sorry for your loss

but glad he got this proud goodbye.

[peace13]

Peace and love your way.

It sounds like you did you father proud.

[asdjrocky]

3. Sympathies and condolences,

I lost my Father, who invaded on D-Day, about 10 years ago. These guys were some tough old birds. My best to you and your family.

[EFerrari]

4. I'm glad your father received the honor he deserved, my friend.

[Burma Jones]

5. I am grateful for your Father's service and sorry for your loss

One Day, my Navy veteran Father will receive the same benefit......

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

6. My condolances for your loss

I am so glad your father was so honored. And thanks for the information. I know when the time comes, my brother's wife and children will want the honors done to him as well. These types of funerals are long remembered. I still recall my grandmother telling me about the funeral of her grandfather, a Civil War veteran, who was buried in his uniform in the 1920s. I searched and found his grave and planted an American flag on it in honor of him. It is true that old soldiers never die-and hopefully the memory of their service never fades away.

[democrank]

7. K & R

Peace be with you and your family, Don. How proud you must be of your Dad.

[malaise]

8. Deepest sympathy NNN0LHI

I'm betting he was proud of you.

[bobthedrummer]

9. Accept my sympathy for your family's loss, Don.

[AwakeAtLast]

10. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family, and a salute to a true hero!

[yellerpup]

11. I'm glad your mom felt good about the service. Military services are moving.

My deepest condolences to you both.

[leftofthedial]

12. I'm sorry for your loss, Don

I'm glad your dad had a good service. My dad had a military funeral in 1967. It was something, as I recall.

[Ichingcarpenter]

13. Sorry for your loss NNN0LHI .. nominated/kicked

[Octafish]

14. My deepest sympathies, Don.

We all owe your father a debt of gratitude.

His service helped keep our nation free.

[madrchsod]

15. sorry for your family's loss

the men and women from his generation saved this country and it`s only fitting that they deserve our respect.

[TheCowsCameHome]

16. My condolences - and those servicemen who attend are indeed impressive

[Karenina]

17. Condolences to you and your family, Don.

[Tippy]

18. My deepest sympathy for your loss....n/t

[Stinky The Clown]

19. We're losing our Dads' generation at a faster and faster rate.

That honor guard really does mean a great deal to the families.

[GreenPartyVoter]

20. I am sorry for your loss. *hugs* We had a nice funeral like that for my grandfather who was

in the same age bracket as your dad.

[DesertRat]

21. I'm sorry for your loss, Don.

Take care.

[pleah]

22. I am so sorry.

I lost my father less than a year ago, it still hurts.

[farmbo]

23. God speed him on his journey... They (WW II Vets) were a tough old breed.

Our prayers are with you and your mother.

[Pierogi_Pincher]

24. I send my heartfelt sympathy,

and honor your dad for his noble service in our name.
Your posting brought to mind a remembrance of my dad, Navy/WWII/Philippines. He passed from us in 1960. 'Taps' by bugle, the gun salute sounding, his flag solemnly folded and presented to my mom.

May his memory be eternal.
God Bless you and yours,
P_P

[babylonsister]

25. My sincere condolences to you and your family, NNN0LHI. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

26. SALUTE to you and your dad

And give a hug to your mom as well

[scarletwoman]

27. Condolences to you and your mother, Don. And good journey to your father. (nt)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

28. My Condolences NNN0LHI

[laylah]

29. I am so glad to hear that Don!

And my condolences to you and your family.

[w8liftinglady]

30. I am so sorry for your loss.

Thank you for the info.My own dad will receive a military funeral when the time comes.

[Ilsa]

31. My condolences, Don. My dad, WWII vet also, will turn 82 in May.

He has Parkinsons, but is doing okay for now. He was Navy, South Pacific, offshore at Iwo Jima. A special hug to your mom.

[abbeyco]

32. I'm sorry to hear of your loss

but am so happy to hear your father received his final military tribute. I think it's an awesome ceremony as we had one for my Dad nearly 3 years ago.

Peace to you and your Mom - and for your Dad, rest well, Soldier.

Abbeyco

[KharmaTrain]

33. My Sympathies...The Ryhtym Of Life

My father passed 5 years ago and had a similar honor at his funeral. It was strange in arranging it as I had to dig out his WWII discharge papers (which my father always kept nearby). Yes...a touching tribute and deserving of a generation that make tremendous personal sacrafices.

A few years ago, I had the unforunate experience of attending a funeral of a friend's son who had died (mysteriously) while on duty in Korea. The ceremony was on a very cold day, but the Air Force honor guard that was there was highly professional and you couldn't see any of them even ripple a muscle in the cold. The most chilling moment was they arranged a missing man fly-over...absolutely chilling even on a warm day.

Here's my deepest condolences on your loss and hope you remember all the good things your father meant...be his living legacy.

Cheers...

[Parche]

34. Hey

What ship was he on





I was at a memorial for a sub at Pearl Harbor last October...they are very emotional

[applegrove]

35. I'm sorry. Sending your family vibes.

[B Calm]

36. We buried my dad in November. He was 90 years old. He also

had a military funeral at the National Cemetery in Danville, Illinois. I did alright, that is until the lone bugle player played taps and after the honor guard did their gun salute. There wasn't a dry eye anywhere to be found!

My dad was infantry in WW2 and was also used as a language interpreter when he wasn't firing a canon. He spoke seven different languages fluently.

He lost three toes to frost bite fighting the Nazi's in Belgium and didn't even receive a Purple Heart. In Iraq if you get a scratch you get a Purple Heart.

Sorry to hear about your loss.

[kentuck]

37. Sorry to hear about your Dad, Don..

You will grow much closer as the years pass.

[civildisoBDence]

38. A BIG salute to your dad and your family n/t

[XOKCowboy]

40. They came out for my dads funeral also...

They contacted us (it's a small town) and three very old men in full uniform came out and as you say, did their duty. Dad would have liked it. He figured he fought in a war that mattered (Okinawa WWII) and was proud of his service. He never had much use for any of the following wars.

I'm sorry for your loss. Cherish the memories.

[annabanana]

41. hugs, Don. .

and prayers for you & your family
Ann

[roguevalley]

42. God bless you and your family on this loss. My papa died nearly

two years ago. Was a skinny sailor with Halsey's fleet. Loved him with the heat of a thousand suns. Peace to you, honey.

[KoKo]

43. Condolences to you Don....

My Dad had a military burial when he died November '06...and it was a beautiful ceremony. I had no idea that it could be so moving. It made his funeral special because he wasn't particularly religious and since he was 98 years old...there wasn't really any minister we could have that knew him to do a proper ceremony. Plus all his friends were dead and our relatives are all so scattered that trying to put together anything of meaning was hard. My brother managed to pull it together by contacting the Army local office. It was Reservists (young folk) who did the presentation and taps...and they were excellent. The military burial made it so special for the few of us there who wanted him remembered in a special way.

I'm sending you

[BoneDaddy]

44. Godspeed

good soldier.

[madokie]

45. So sorry for your loss

[catnhatnh]

46. Sorry for your loss, Don....

This past November we buried my Dad who was 81 and an Air Force (Well-Army Air Corp) vet...We went with a civilian service but the military did send a nicely folded flag for his service and my Mom treasures it...It sits on the arm of his recliner....My best to you and yours, Cat

[Divernan]

47. "With thanks from a grateful nation" and my sympathies for your loss.

My sympathies to you and your mother. My Mom (age 94) was buried in Kankakee last August.

My most powerful memory of the American flag is standing on a cold and windy Kansas plain one January, when my Uncle, a Navy WW II vet, who died at age 76, was buried with an honor guard and the 21 gun salute. The flag covering his coffin was folded into a triangle and given to his wife, as the Officer said, "With thanks from a grateful nation." He was a PT boat commander in the Pacific, at the ripe old age of 26. All the very young, wet behind the ears sailors called him "The Old Man".

Those old Kansas cemetaries have a lot of civil war soldiers buried there, from regiments from many northern and southern states - some fought for the Union and some for the Confederacy. First time I noticed that, I thought there must have been some awful battle there, but was told that since Kansas didn't declare as either a free or slave state, that Kansas boys had left home to go the North or South to enlist. All too young to die far from home.

[peekaloo]

48. Condolences.

My father passed away in December and received honors from the Navy, also. 3 sailors (2 were women ) in attendance, all were very kind and respectful to my family.

"On behalf of the President of the United States" part of the flag presentation almost brought a scowl to my face though.

[Obamanaut]

49. Positive thoughts go to you and all of your family members from

this Navy vet. Fair winds and following seas.

[barbtries]

50. condolences on your loss

i am glad that your mother was comforted.

[AZBlue]

51. I'm so sorry for your loss!!

[Swamp Rat]

52. .

[NashVegas]

53. So Sorry For Your Loss, Don

The honor guard who perform at these ceremonies are extraordinary people.

[snappyturtle]

54. With deepest sympathy. n/t

[onethatcares]

55. may I offer a salute and heartfelt condolences.

Peace.

[Desertrose]

56. So sorry for your loss, Don.

DR

[Blue_Tires]

57. my grandfather died last summer

he was in the army during the war and got the same treatment (even though they sent what looked like a couple of high school jrotc guys in need of practice, i was still touched by the gesture...)

[Efilroft Sul]

58. My condolences, and heartfelt thanks to your father's service.

Don:

I know we've disagreed on the immigration issue in the past, but that's all water under the bridge. I am sorry for your loss, but iyour father was given the dignified sendoff that he earned and deserved. My best to you and your family.

Rob

[Lex Talionis]

59. Respects to your Father. Condolences to you and yours n/t

[renate]

60. I'm very sorry for your loss

In times like this, the little comforts can really help, and I'm glad his funeral was an occasion worthy of him and of his service.