thedrifter
01-10-06, 06:18 PM
January 10, 2006
Ban on burial honors for murderers takes effect
Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A ban on burying convicted murderers with full military honors in national military cemeteries took effect Monday when President Bush signed the newest defense authorization bill.
The ban was pushed by Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho.
The proposal stems in part from the placement in Arlington National Cemetery in July of the remains of Russell Wayne Wagner, 52, a Vietnam veteran convicted of murdering an elderly couple in Hagerstown in 1994. The victims’ children complained, prompting a review of military funeral rules.
“This law honors our military heroes, and I am so proud to have fought for its passage,” Mikulski said.
She brought the issue to the attention of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee after Wagner’s remains were buried at Arlington with full military honors.
Ellie
Ban on burial honors for murderers takes effect
Associated Press
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — A ban on burying convicted murderers with full military honors in national military cemeteries took effect Monday when President Bush signed the newest defense authorization bill.
The ban was pushed by Democratic Sen. Barbara Mikulski of Maryland and Republican Sen. Larry Craig of Idaho.
The proposal stems in part from the placement in Arlington National Cemetery in July of the remains of Russell Wayne Wagner, 52, a Vietnam veteran convicted of murdering an elderly couple in Hagerstown in 1994. The victims’ children complained, prompting a review of military funeral rules.
“This law honors our military heroes, and I am so proud to have fought for its passage,” Mikulski said.
She brought the issue to the attention of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee after Wagner’s remains were buried at Arlington with full military honors.
Ellie