[A.A. Cunningham]

Since dad did not retire from the service they would not do the gun salute, but that was fine with us.

You were misinformed. Only flag officers receive gun salutes. However, anyone who has served honorably is entitled to and should receive three rifle volleys.

[Pablo64]

Well, we basically just listened to what we were told (since we didn't know any better), and it worked out. I know that dad wouldn't have been upset or anything. He would have just shook his head and muttered something about "typical government screw up"...

Dad was a Master Sergant and performed mostly clerical work, not only during his time of service, but for over 25 years after he was discharged, working in Civil Service (before he "retired" for the first of 4 times) and he was an incredibly organized person.