Do all veterans get a military funeral?

Do All Veterans Get a Military Funeral?

When it comes to the death of a loved one, arranging a military funeral can be a challenging and emotional experience for those left behind. For some, the question arises whether all veterans have the opportunity to receive a military funeral. The short answer is no, but let’s dive deeper to understand who is eligible, the eligibility criteria, and the significance of military funeral honors.

Eligibility for Military Funeral

Veterans do not automatically qualify for a military funeral; instead, their eligibility depends on a range of factors. Generally, veterans may be eligible for a military funeral if they:

• Met active duty obligations: For those who entered the military and completed their service in accordance with the terms of their enlistment or commissioned officer’s commitment.
• Served during certain periods: Only veterans who served during defined periods in U.S. military conflicts, such as World War II, Korea, or Vietnam, qualify for funeral honors.
• Fulfilled certain honorarily discharged obligations: Those whose military status was discharged ‘honorable’ or who received certain types of retirement or special discharge benefits qualify.

Procedure for Securing a Military Funeral

For those whose loved ones meet the above eligibility criteria, the funeral process unfolds as follows:

1. Verification with the DoD: Immediate family or funeral home coordinators typically contact the DoD (Department of Defense) or local VA to confirm eligibility and request permission for funeral honors.
2. Request for 21 Gun Salute (3-7-7): A 3-volleys salute fired by honorably discharged, former American Legion Posts, Veterans’ organizations or local law enforcement, signaling respect for the deceased and their service.

Differences Between Flag-Folding and TAPS

One crucial aspect often misunderstood in military funerals is the distinction between Flag-Folding and Taps:

Flag-Folding: Prior to the last fold of the flag during the folded flag ceremony (a specific sequence of creases making the flag resembles the first American flag design), any remaining creases are:

• Gently raised and:
• Lowed gently upon the flag during the first fold.

For immediate family: A total of 14 folds:

1. Four corners = square flag honoring the Square principle of our democratic system.
   2-5 for saints/leaders or America. Then 11 more for family, relatives, friends to be
   protected equally for all. So 26 = twice three.

To represent this:
Each folder of fabric (wavy or stiffened cotton, usually yellow, often crashed, represents the following,
according to a strict certain code/meaning/rule, e.g.,

• Two (as 1’s twin

• five for Father
  Six for ‘the Father- the Founder’
  …
  until last:
  12th, four folds = ’13- (for God-protection,
  13 = + God)’ (not final) -> finesse = ‘to finesse’.
  14.) (total of 22 =… ‘God: to Protect
  ‘All’) [This ‘story’ & its "reason" comes from an online article or video].

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     family
     , (…
     **
     …

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  (as
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for a warrior or hero
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. For our
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…
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>.

of Buglers**
.

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TAPS_(music )>
).
Conclusion