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Funeral honor for our veterans

Cleveland Daily Banner - 3/18/2018

The presentation of the U.S. flag, a 21-gun salute and Taps are earned rights of individuals who served our country in the military. However, too many eligible veterans are not receiving that respect, even though the Bradley County Veterans Honor Guard stands ready to provide it.

The National Defense Authorization Act of 2000 mandates the rendering of military funeral honors free of charge.

John Thomason, a member of the Bradley County Veterans Honor Guard, noted, "we have been having challenges" because many are unaware the ceremony is available.

He said a few weeks ago, the Honor Guard was headed to Chattanooga when Commander Roy Smith received a call from a woman whose husband had died two weeks before. She did not know the Honor Guard was available then, but wanted to know if it was too late to do something now.

"Our commander was distressed that a proper military ceremony of honor and respect had not been shown her husband," Thomason said.

"We have visited every funeral home in Cleveland - sat down with them and advised them of the proper contact when a family requests a military ceremony," he said. The ceremony will be presented to whatever extent the family desires - folding a flag, performing the 21-gun salute and/or Taps. The family just has to request it of the funeral home.

"The word is still not getting out," Thomason said.

Thomason said a basic need for the privilege of a military funeral is a military form DD 214.

The DD 214 shows a person's military service - the date he/she entered the service to the date they completed military service, with any little turns included. Supporting documents, such as an honorable discharge, are good, because they can help you get the DD 214.

"This (the DD 214) is what is needed. We have had families say he came home and said 'I don't want to hear about it. I don't want to talk about it. Don't ask about it. It's over,'" Thomason said. "That is due to the trauma - the things he saw, heard and was a part of. He does not want to bring the memories up.

"But sad to say when the time comes, the DD 214 is the only form that will get them a free 5-by-8 proper military flag on the casket. We get them a proper marble headstone to be placed, where the family wishes - private cemetery, national cemetery or Bradley County veterans' cemetery - at no charge. It will also get them a 21-gun salute and Taps at no charge for the family," he said.

"The DD 214 verifies the serviceman's record and honorable discharge," he noted. "This will ensure a serviceman is given proper respect and honor."

"If you wish for a proper burial at the national cemetery or a military funeral - we all know the time is coming - you have to have the proper form," he said.

Every serviceman received one at separation from the military. However, after many years, some forms have been misplaced or become unreadable.

There are two ways to get a copy of a serviceman's DD 214.

"You can go online - it's easy to do," he said. After filling out the form, it may be sent to the mailing or faxing address provided.

The form asks for the veteran's complete name, service number, Social Security number, branch of service, dates of service, date and place of birth (especially if the service number is unknown), place of discharge, and place of entry into service, if known. Requests must be signed and dated by the veteran or next-of-kin.

Thomason said it takes about four to eight weeks to receive the DD 214. "It depends on how deep they have to go into the records and whether they can get it online or must go back through paper files."

He suggests the veteran let someone else in the family know where the form is located. Thomason said the funeral home would help you get the esteem your veteran deserves.

The second way is to go to the local Veterans Affairs Office and talk with Cheri Nation. She will ask for the same information, fill out the form and send it off. However, she also requests a copy for her files.

"So if the time comes - and the form is again misplaced - the funeral home can contact her and she will fax them a copy," Thomason said.

The Honor Guard asks for 48-hours notice of service. "We have to get our people together, get directions" and more, Thomason explained.

The Honor Guard provides the families with the type of service they want. "We have had families who don't want the 21-gun salute, that's fine. We can still be there to fold the flag and (play) Taps," he said.

The Honor Guard can provide the military honors desired by the families. For full military honors that includes the presence of an honor guard from the branch of the service. This is usually done for individuals of higher rank.

The Bradley County Veterans Honor Guard survives by donations, Thomason said. Sometimes they will receive donations from friends, relatives and companies who often note the ceremony "meant a lot to the family." These funds pay for things the guard needs.

The present 14 members of the Bradley County Honor Guard range in age from 64 to 90. They are all Bradley County or Polk County veterans. "Our commander is Roy Smith, a Navy veteran."

He noted, we "respectfully request we perform our ceremony first" at the cemetery.

"We are in formation when the parties pull up waiting for them. We will present arms while the casket is being placed on the bier. Then we go back to parade rest, waiting for when everyone is seated.

"It can be five minutes, or 10 to 15 minutes - 90 degrees, 30 degrees or whatever. We are there for the honor, respect of the serviceman and our country," Thomason said. "Every man wants to be there - does not have to be there - but wants to be there."

He notes the Honor Guard would like to have more members to "reduce the stress on members now. We would like to add four to six new members. If someone has a doctor's appointment and cannot be there, we might not have a full complement. That is not the way to honor our servicemen."

Thomason said members are "trained in what we do, and how we do it - We need capable men to add to our honor guard."

He said prospective members would have to purchase pants, but the rest of the uniform is provided.

To honor the serviceman, honor his family and his service to our country, plan on having the proper paperwork to give to the funeral home when the time comes. Then the Honor Guard can be there.