that, is pure, unadulterated, horsesh!t.
Posted on 12/25/2015 1:37:09 AM PST by WhiskeyX
When a veteran or member of the armed forces dies, he or she is entitled to a ceremony that includes the presentation of a U.S. flag to a family member and a bugler blowing Taps. Most of the time, there is a three-volley rifle salute if requested by family members. But now, if the deceased served in the Air Force, the three-volley salute is not an option because the Air Force can no longer support riflemen for funeral services for veteran retirees.
[....]
“To me, without the 21-gun salute, it just does not make it complete a proper military burial,†veteran Wayne Wakeman told Honolulu’s KHON 2 News. “I think because of sequestration or the lack of funds or whatever excuse they’re giving, that they had to hit the veterans.â€
Wakeman is correct in supposing the cut is due to sequestration, the 2013 automatic federal spending cuts required by the Budget Control Act of 2011.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
—Buena Vista, Colorado VFW performed the same service at a friend’s funeral last summer—like wise the cartridge case collection—
It sounds like they did a great job and take their job seriously in showing respect for the fallen vets.
I’m sorry for the loss of your father, and I hope you still have a joyous Christmas day with your family.
May God bless you and keep you and give you peace.
Probable another crappy EXECUTIVE ORDER to get back at the heroes of the US!
That is just another insult to the United States of America and its institutions and traditions. Plus, the Administration can use this money to bring in and support more muslims. I don’t know if you noticed it or not, but not a whimper has been said about cutting the benefits[money] given to the muslim refugees. But, after all has been said and done, the american voter voted for this shit twice in succession. It looks to me like they are beginning to reap what they sowed. I, personally do not like it, but more people voted for the muslim son of a bitch than, like me, voted against him.
no no NOoooooooooh
They cannot take away the 21-gun salute.
To me, a civilian, a nobody compared to a veteran, the 21-gun salute sound is very special. I don’t know the meaning of it or why it started but to me, it shows respect to the veteran and opens the heavens for them.
I’m in tears.
I abhor this present administration. How cheap and disrespectful can they be?
My uncle survived WWII as a gunner on 36 combat missions. He later survived a tour in Vietnam. He had an Air Force enlisted career of over 30 years. When he passed away in 2004 his friends in the local VFW were his pallbearers. Knowing of the shortage of honor guard personnel I was surprised when a full active duty from Keesler AFB, a 120 miles south showed up. I had burned a cd with a most dramatic version of the Air Force Hymn. After the ceremony and people where leaving I played the music on full volume. “Off we go, into the wild blue...” could not have been more appropriate.
Few WWII vets remain. No matter how they served, they they deserve all the honors we can give them. Cost should not matter. The same is true of all vets of other conflicts who have served honorably should be treated the same.
The funds for funerals have been redirected to women trying to pass Ranger training.
The Air Force, bastion of political correctness, once again leading from behind.
Various government agencies are sitting on billions of rounds of ammo. They could spare a few...
Must be another “executive order” from our black muslim leader?
True, and duly noted. For my part, I was typing faster than I was thinking, and in a foul mood at that.
The most recent veteran's funeral I attended was that of my last remaining uncle, and the men firing the volley were from the local VFW post, all probably only ten to fifteen years younger than my uncle (i.e., not young men themselves). Credit is given where credit is due, and I hope the younger vets (like my son) will quietly but surely take their place when the time comes.
The Marine Corps did send an honor guard out to the cemetery, and they did a very good job. (Unc wouldn't have expected anything else.)
Mr. niteowl77
When my late husband died, he was USAF, Viet Nam Era Vet of a massive heart attack. They had to get the Air Force out of Little Rock to come to Millington, TN. Music was on CD. They were so out of practice, took 3 tries to fold the Flag right.
I’d just have been happy to have the Navy do it as Millington is a Naval Base.
What does it matter what branch does it, or if Ret. Or VFW, AM. Legion members do it. They all deserve a PROPER MILITARY BURIAL.
Agree..... damage done to all services....not just the Zoomies, by this administration is sickening.
What about the fly overs? Those cost much more.
Yes that was what my father got at his funeral when he passed away last year. He had been honorably discharged from the AAC, before it became the AF, in August, 1945.
No money my eye. If the Naval Academy can produce professional quality videos of sailors lip sinking to silly pop songs (and this was done with Defense Dept. approval), then there is money for this.
that, is pure, unadulterated, horsesh!t.
Many VFW and American Legion Poss have Honor Guards to perform this function. For my local VFW Post,I am the Honor Guard Captain and we perform on average 6 military funerals a month. Some we perform the entire protocol, but others, the Active Duty service members perform the flag folding and presentation.
I have about 15 or 16 members that I call, but because of age (I am the 2nd youngest at 72), we can only get 8. We give the family three rifle volleys, an electronic bugle - sorry - I forgot how to play the trumpet and my Mom got rid of it when I went to college.
In most funerals that we perform the full protocol, I present the flag after the rifle salute leader places three fired rounds (previously polished) into the folded flag. If active duty perform the flag folding and presentation, I have to wait until after the flag is presented to request permission to place the three rounds in the flag - always given.
Our goal is no veteran within 45 miles will get military honors.
Perhaps you meant "autosexually".
Marines will always honor our dead. This is sad and infuriating that men and women who served in the Air Force just get dumped in a hole which exactly what it is.
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