VA Clarifies Policy on Flag-Folding Recitations

[CAS3]

"13-Fold"Ceremony, Other Scripts Approved
WASHINGTON (October 30, 2007) -- To ensure burial services at the 125
national cemeteries operated by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
reflect the wishes of veterans and their families, VA officials have
clarified the Department's policy about recitations made while the U.S.
flag is folded at the gravesite of a veteran.

"Honoring the burial wishes of veterans is one of the highest
commitments for the men and women of VA," said William F. Tuerk, VA's
Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs. "A family may request the
recitation of words to accompany the meaningful presentation of the
American flag as we honor the dedication and sacrifice of their loved
ones."
Traditional gravesite military funeral honors include the silent folding
and presentation of an American flag, a 21-gun rifle salute, and the
playing of "Taps."

The clarification includes the following:
* Volunteer honor guards are authorized to read the so-called
"13-fold" flag recitation or any comparable script;
* Survivors of the deceased need to provide material and request
it be read by the volunteer honor guards; and
* Volunteer honor guards will accept requests for recitations that
reflect any or no religious traditions, on an equal basis.

Veterans with a discharge other than dishonorable, their spouses and
eligible dependent children can be buried in a national cemetery. Other
burial benefits available for all eligible veterans, regardless of
whether they are buried in a national cemetery or a private cemetery,
include a burial flag, a Presidential Memorial Certificate and a
government headstone or marker.

[gwladgarwr]

Gee, VA, thanks for letting me know you've granted me permission to be laid to rest in any way I see fit, especially when I would deserve and earn such an honor. Don't know what I'd do without you.

Sgt gw

[HardJedi]

yep. awful big of them.

[CAS3]

Hey fellas,
Remember that most persons in the VA are civilians and need this stuff to be written out in 1-2-3 directions for them!!

[greensideout]

Thank you CAS3 for your input! You are a trooper!

I do understand where our fellow Marines are coming from with their comments. The gov has just added to their rules as to what must be done so as to offen no one. What a joke! Just do what we have always done. Do what is right!

Gov bull, on and on it seems to go!

My view.

[crate78]

While we're on the subject, can anyone give me directions as to how to fold a U.S. flag so it winds up in a triangle?

I was recently presented a flag that flew over Mount Vernon on September 28 of this year, along with a framable certificate of authenticity. I thought it would look nice on the wall of my office, so my wife ordered a triangular flag case, and the flag as I recieved it is folded in a rectangle.

crate

[LeonardLawrence]

SSGT Crate,

http://www.usflag.org/foldflag.html

Step by step with visual....

[crate78]

Thanks!

crate