Free Republic

WASHINGTON — President Bush signed into law last week a provision that eliminates funeral honors and burial benefits for a veteran convicted of state or federal crimes carrying any life sentence. The amendment, sponsored by Sen. Barbara Mikulski, D-Md., and Sen. Larry Craig, R-Idaho, closed a loophole in the defense authorization bill. "This law honors our military heroes, and I am so proud to have fought for its passage," Mikulski said in a written statement. "This continues what has been a daily fight for more than 18 years to safeguard vital veterans' services and benefits." The passage was a small...

It's not every day that I side with a murderer over a man who gave his life helping our troops in Iraq. But this is one of those rare instances. The controversy concerns Arlington National Cemetery and who should be buried there. Russell Wayne Wagner was buried in Arlington with standard military honors on July 27th. He served in the Army from 1969 to 1972 and was honorably discharged. He, therefore, qualified for burial in the prestigious military final resting place. But Wagner was a convicted murderer. He murdered Daniel and Wilda Davis, both in their 80s, at their home....