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Regular Joe
 
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 1/18/2006 3:55 PM
Posts: 201,
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Hi...
Need some assistance...
My best friend's father just passed away...His father was an ARMY WWII vet and a great guy...
My friend needs to know what the protocal is for who gets the FLAG durring the burial.....since his mom has passed on.. he is the "next of kin" ....but there is a bit of a problem....he has an older sister by three weeks...but she is not blood related in any way since she was adopted by the family when she was 15..... She was never involved with the family and stole money and forged checks from the family....now the father has passed on..she now comes out of the wood-work to look for money from the will....now she wants the flag from the burial and is making a big stink about it...My friend is upset about this and feels he is the real "next of kin" since he is blood related and is the oldest son...
Does anyone know what the protocal is ??? or where can this info be found??
Thanks
Regards
Chris
"... First, were we truly men of courage.... Second, were we truly men of judgment. Third, were we truly men of integrity.... And finally were we truly men of dedication."
President John F. Kennedy
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Trooper
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merrec,
I have performed ( too many ) funeral details and this is the first time I have seen a siuation like this come up. I don't belive it is written anywhere as far as who or whom has the right to the flag. I can tell you that as a rule of thumb, the family MUST inform the Funeral Diretor that they want a military funeral at which time they would obtain the flag for the deceased from the local VA, or congressmans office. If this young lady had ANY respect then she would ( and should ) allow the presentation to the SON. IMO
The Inspiration of a Noble Cause, Enables men to do things they did not dream themselves capable of doing before.
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Hard Charger
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 9/17/2006 11:47 PM
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Chris- Check this site out, it might have some info (not 100%- haven't checked it out entirely myself):
http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil
I think this section, in the laws relating to funeral services, is the only reference to the presentation of the flag:
quote:
(c) CEREMONY.—A funeral honors detail shall, at a minimum, perform at the funeral a ceremony that includes the folding of a United tates flag and presentation of the flag to the veteran’s family and the playing of Taps. Unless a bugler is a member of the detail, the funeral honors detail shall play a recorded version of Taps using audio equipment which the detail shall provide if adequate audio equipment is not otherwise available for use at the funeral.
That's from section 1491, chapter 75, part II, subtitle A (General Military Law) of Title 10 U.S.C. There's also something concering Burial Flags in the links section of that site. Your friend may need a lawyer to fight over who gets the flag.
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Hard Charger
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| The bottom line is that the VA will provide the flag, it will be presented to whomever the funeral director tells the detail to present it to. I can only assume that whoever made the funeral arrangements will tell the funeral director. Another way to handle this might be to find out who the veteran had as a designated next of kin, (insurance/will) and that should clear it up.
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Trooper
Group: Registered User
Last Login: 10/4/2008 9:09 PM
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Well looks like everyone beat me to this. I also have performed numerous funeral details. We were always informed by the funeral home who the next of kin was and where they were sitting.
"Some people dream of success...while others wake up and work hard at it"
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Jarhead
Group: Community Supporter
Last Login: 12/15/2007 1:24 PM
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I have done a boatload of them while on I&I in the Corps. We always gave it to the person we were told to by the person making the arrangements. If you make the arrangements, you tell the detail who to present the flag to.
 "Your Marines having been under my command for nearly six months, I feel that I can give you a discriminating report as to their excellent standing with their brothers of the Army and their general good conduct."-General John J. Pershing, U.S. Army
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Hard Charger
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That sucks Chris. It's sad to hear about selfish folks that create turmoil at times like this, and try to make an event more about themself, rather than honor the fallen. I hope the advice from the members helps.
"EBO isn't a strategy. It's a sales pitch." - Ralph Peters
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Regular Joe
Group: Past PNET Supporter
Last Login: 1/18/2006 3:55 PM
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Thanks for all the advice and suggestions.... It helped my friend.. The Good news is that he did get the flag at the funeral and it is in his safe keeping..... As for the bitch (adopted sister) she may now face jail time for stealing money... Regards, Chris
"... First, were we truly men of courage.... Second, were we truly men of judgment. Third, were we truly men of integrity.... And finally were we truly men of dedication."
President John F. Kennedy
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