Many families still do not know that since Jan. 1, 2000 every armed forces veteran and member on active duty or in the active reserve has had the right to be buried with patriotic flourishes provided by a military honor guard. On that date, Military Funeral Honors became a statutory benefit to all veterans with the signing of the National Defense Authorization Act. The law requires that, upon the family's request, every eligible veteran is entitled to receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include folding, presentation of the United States burial flag and the sounding of taps, at no cost to the family.
In addition, as opposed to a CD used to play taps, a not-for-profit organization Bugles Across America will even provide a uniformed bugler to play a live rendition of taps in recognition of the service these veterans have provided to their country. Their webpage request is www.buglesacrossamerica.org/requestabugler.aspx.
In the event of the death of a prior–service Marine or a retired Marine and a Marine honor guard is desired to provide military funeral honors the funeral home or next-of-kin must telephone HQMC at 866–826–3628. Be prepared to provide the following information:
Name
Rank
Social Security number
Service number (serial service number, if applicable)
Date of birth
Date of passing
Funeral home
Place of interment (cemetery)
HQMC must confirm the deceased is/was a Marine. For a retired Marine, the Social Security number should trigger the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) thus confirming retirement. In the case of a prior-service Marine a DD-214 or Honorable Discharge certificate must be available for transmission to HQMC.
Time is a critical element in obtaining an honor guard so as much of this information should be assembled now.
I hope this information will not be needed for a very, very long time. In the mean time keep this with your important papers.
Semper Fi,
Bob Dart
CWO-5, USMC (Ret)
