Several programs by the
Department of Veterans Affairs and private organizations are available
for Military Funeral Honors. Descriptions and links to additional
details are provided below for VA Military Funeral Honors,
the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, and Bugles
Across America. Be sure to ask our staff
if you have any questions about how these programs can be utilized.
VA Military
Funeral Honors
What is Military Funeral
Honors?
The basic Military Funeral
Honors ceremony consists of the folding and presentation of the United
States flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps. The
ceremony is performed by a funeral honors detail consisting of at least
two members of the Armed Forces. At least one of the funeral
honors detail will be from the Armed Force in which the deceased veteran
served. Taps may be played by a bugler, or by using a quality
recorded version if a bugler is not available. The basic ceremony
will be provided to every eligible veteran when requested. More details
are available at: http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil
How do I establish veteran
eligibility?
The preferred method is the DD
Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. If
the DD Form 214 is not available, any discharge document showing other
than dishonorable service can be used. The DD 214 may also be
obtained by filling out a Standard Form 180. The Standard Form 180
is available at: http://www.nara.gov/publications/forms/sf180a.pdf
Who is eligible
for a burial flag?
The VA established
eligibility. We can assist you in obtaining a flag. More
information is available at: http://www.cem.va.gov/bflags.htm
What is a
Presidential Memorial Certificate?
This is a parchment
certificate with a calligraphic inscription expressing the nation's
grateful recognition of an honorably discharged, deceased veteran's
service in the Armed Forces. The veteran's name is inscribed and
the certificate bears the signature of the President. More
information including how to obtain the certificate is available at:
http://www.cem.va.gov.pmc.htm
How do I request
a grave marker?
We will assist you
or more details about grave markers are available at: http://www.cem.va.gov/hmorder.htm
Abraham
Lincoln National Cemetery
Abraham Lincoln
National Cemetery is located south of Joliet, approximately 50 miles
from downtown Chicago, in Elwood, Illinois, adjacent to the USDA Forest
Service's Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. The cemetery offers
an ideal location which veterans and their dependents can view with
pride for decades to come.
The Abraham Lincoln
National Cemetery is named after the 16th President of the United States
whose signature enacted a law authorizing the establishment of national
cemeteries on July 17, 1862. President Lincoln's legacy is especially
important to the people of Illinois, where he worked and lived.
For more information visit: http://www.cem.va.gov/abraham.htm
Bugles
Across America
Bugles Across America got its start in
2000, when Congress passed legislation stating Veterans had a right to
at least 2 uniformed military people to fold the flag and play taps on a
CD player.
Bugles Across America was started to take
this a step further, and in recognition of the service these Veterans
provided their country, we felt that every Veteran deserved a live
rendition of taps played by a Bugler. More information is
available at: http://www.buglesacrossamerica.com
©2001 Vandenberg Funeral Homes, Inc. Tinley Park, Illinois USA
