Military honors funeral - please help

[abbeyco]

Hello DU,

First off, I have to thank you that were so kind to respond to my Dad's passing. He was a WWII and Korea veteran and proud of his service to our great country. You gave me great comfort with such kind words when I'd announced here that a great patriot had died.

We made it through his funeral Mass tonight and now will attend his Military Burial Service at Ft Logan National Cemetery in Denver. Due to his service in 2 wars, he'll be committed with full military honors, including a 21-gun salute.

I have no idea about the protocol about for service and hope that some fellow DUers might be able to give me some clues about how to stand and react during the salute - I can find no information about family/attendee protocol.

Thanks in advance for your help - you've all been great in your kind words of support.

abbeyco

[Spider Jerusalem]

1. During the salute...

you should stand erect with your right hand over your heart, as when pledging allegiance to the flag; this is the civilian equivalent of a military salute.

And my condolences on your father's passing.

[abbeyco]

2. Thank you for responding

I appreciate this information and will counsel my siblings and guests for the service about this protocol.

Thank you for your condolences, your words are kind to me at this time.

[Orsino]

5. Confirmed.

I spent one of my last months in the Army doing funerals for vets. Though I was rarely able to check out the attendees, I eventually realized that this is what many of them did.

Of course, many or most simply sat as they would for any other funeral, and as far as I know, they were not chastised. If you are interested in showing special respect for the military ceremony, stand with your right hand on your heart.

Please accept my condolences, as well. I hope you get a real bugler, but please don't be surprised if Taps is played on a hidden boom-box. It may be the best that the local military post can do. The ceremony should be conducted by at least a couple of "professionals" (soldiers whose primary duty is funeral support), supplemented by a few more who have been detailed temporarily, as I was. We all took it very seriously--mostly because we cared, but also because any screw-ups usually resulted in complaints to generals.

I don't doubt that your father is in good hands.

[LaurenG]

3. I just buried my Dad in Jan with full military honors

You will probably have someone from the military to guide you and help you through it. I am so sorry. The military has a way of burying it's own quite unlike anyone else. I'll be thinking of you. I know how very hard this is. :grouphug:

[commander bunnypants]

4. call up your local VFW chapter

they should be able to help

CB

[Rabrrrrrr]

6. Follow the lead of the military guy they'll have there to help you

He (or perhaps she?) will help you through. Mostly, you don't do anything - you stand when the time comes, they go through the ceremony including the taps and the guns, then you will sit and they will remove the flag from the casket and present it to his wife (or to the children, or whatever family member is next in line).

The flag presentation is very moving. And I always cry during the gun salute.

[abbeyco]

7. Thank you all

I appreciate your information on the ceremony. My Dad was laid to rest today with full military honors. What a powerful service and I think the retirees who stand in attendance do a wonderful job.

I am in deep appreciation to those who had condolences and sympathies for the loss of my Dad. It's nice to have such compassionate people.

abbeyco :patriot: