TAPS? - A military question

[Sue]

My father passed away in 1998. Dad was a veteran of WWII as a B24 tailgunner, (pacific, 1941-1945). He continued to serve his fellow-man as a firefighter/EMS until retirement. It is a long and emotionally agonizing story but I and my family will finally be able to inter his recently obtained ashes, at my church in October when the granite marker is completed.

Is it appropriate or inappropriate to have taps played at what will be a small civilian gathering? This honor was denied eleven years ago.
Sue

 

[TorzJohnson]

It sounds like your dad has earned it, and I'm sure it would be eminently appropriate. Speak to the
Funeral Director, he should know the channels to go through to arrange military funeral honors, such as
a flag, honor guard, or bugler to play Taps.

 

[Sue]

It sounds like your dad has earned it, and I'm sure it would be eminently appropriate. Speak to the
Funeral Director, he should know the channels to go through to arrange military funeral honors, such as
a flag, honor guard, or bugler to play Taps.

That was offered at his funeral in 1998 and his 'wife' said no. It has been an eleven year obsession of mine to correct a wrong. I just now was able to obtain his ashes which had been stored in the trunk of a car.
Sue

 

[airplanedoc]

I would think he would be elegible for a military enternment service.

http://www.cem.va.gov/mhg.asp
The VA website says to contact a funeral home, but I am sure the local VA or VFW could clarify.

Since he was a tail gunner in a b-24 The local Commemorative (Confederate) Air Force, might be interested indoing something as well. They are located at St. Charles County Apt. I used to volunteer out there back when I was in the area.


Contact info for CAF

http://commemorativeairforce.org/?page=cms/unit&unitID=39

 

[SlyGI]

It is perfectly fine for TAPS to be played. He's probably entitled to an entire military funeral.

 

[stobes21]

I'm glad that you will finally be able to give him the service he deserves. If your father was a member of a veteran's organization like the VFW or American Legion then they will probably like to attend and make a brief statement and present a flag.

 

[TorzJohnson]

That was offered at his funeral in 1998 and his 'wife' said no. It has been an eleven year obsession of mine to correct a wrong. I just now was able to obtain his ashes which had been stored in the trunk of a car.
Sue

I would still make inquiries if I were you. Just because his wife at the time refused the proper (and well-deserved) honors, shouldn't mean that he cannot receive them now.

If you can't get any satisfaction that way, get in touch with the local VFW or American Legion. Believe me, somebody will help you with this.

 

[Jim]

Sue,
I am happy for you that this will be all behind you soon.

 

[ravkesef]

My father passed away in 1998. Dad was a veteran of WWII as a B24 tailgunner, (pacific, 1941-1945). He continued to serve his fellow-man as a firefighter/EMS until retirement. It is a long and emotionally agonizing story but I and my family will finally be able to inter his recently obtained ashes, at my church in October when the granite marker is completed.

Is it appropriate or inappropriate to have taps played at what will be a small civilian gathering? This honor was denied eleven years ago.
Sue

Sue, I'm a retired military chaplain, and some of the funeral directors cringe when they see me coming, because the first question I always ask is "Was s/he a veteran?" If so, I insist that the deceased be given full military honors. President Bush directed that every veteran be given military honors including a firing squad, a flag and bugler. All you need to do is tell the funeral director that you want it. It's up to him to provide--you don't have to do a thing except provide a copy of his discharge certificate to prove his eligibility.
World War II vets--they saved the world--quite literally, and now they are dying at the rate of 1000 per day. They were truly the "Greatest Generation." You were lucky to have such a hero for a father, and he was lucky to have a daughter who cared so much!

 

[Sue]

Sue, I'm a retired military chaplain, and some of the funeral directors cringe when they see me coming, because the first question I always ask is "Was s/he a veteran?" If so, I insist that the deceased be given full military honors. President Bush directed that every veteran be given military honors including a firing squad, a flag and bugler. All you need to do is tell the funeral director that you want it. It's up to him to provide--you don't have to do a thing except provide a copy of his discharge certificate to prove his eligibility.
World War II vets--they saved the world--quite literally, and now they are dying at the rate of 1000 per day. They were truly the "Greatest Generation." You were lucky to have such a hero for a father, and he was lucky to have a daughter who cared so much!

I am blessed and he is and will always be a hero to me. What hapened to his remains was out of my and my brothers control. It is something I have needed to make right all of this time, if it's the last thing I do in my life. There is no funeral director as he died 11 years ago in MI. I am going to call the VFW as suggested. He was a member for many years. I have his service records.

I agree these men and women were of the greatest generation. I can't imagine living in that time and going through what they did. Mom was a aircraft riveter taking the bus or walking miles to work everyday while grandma babysat my oldest brother. Dad wasn't on the last flight with his crew when it was shot down. I have a crew photo of these handsome young men who gave all. Surely they are with God.
Sue

 

[perry]

Call your Congressman's office, I'm sure they'd be more than willing to get the ball rolling.

 

[Sue]

I would think he would be elegible for a military enternment service.

http://www.cem.va.gov/mhg.asp
The VA website says to contact a funeral home, but I am sure the local VA or VFW could clarify.

Since he was a tail gunner in a b-24 The local Commemorative (Confederate) Air Force, might be interested indoing something as well. They are located at St. Charles County Apt. I used to volunteer out there back when I was in the area.


Contact info for CAF

http://commemorativeairforce.org/?page=cms/unit&unitID=39

Thank you for this. A number of years ago, they had several of the WWII aircraft on display at the Chesterfield airport and you could tour them. The tail gunner position was uncomfortable to see.
Sue

 

[Nadir M]

That was offered at his funeral in 1998 and his 'wife' said no. It has been an eleven year obsession of mine to correct a wrong. I just now was able to obtain his ashes which had been stored in the trunk of a car.
Sue

I'm so sorry you had to go through that. I too am glad that you can honor your father the way he deserved. He was a hero for our nation.

 

[tsmba]

I think any veteran is entitled to military honors.
Most of my family members chose cremation. I've heard many stories of folks who desire their ashes to be scattered in a favorite place. I was surprised to learn that this can be illegal. When my father passed, the funeral director returned his ashes in a box. While my mother purchased a plot in the local cemetery where they were later interred, the impression I got was that there is almost a "don't ask, don't tell" policy over their disposition.

 

[_JP_]

Wow, what a story! I'm glad that this is finally getting resolved for you. Yes, he is entitled to military honors.

 

[TorzJohnson]

Sue, I'm a retired military chaplain, and some of the funeral directors cringe when they see me coming, because the first question I always ask is "Was s/he a veteran?" If so, I insist that the deceased be given full military honors. President Bush directed that every veteran be given military honors including a firing squad, a flag and bugler. All you need to do is tell the funeral director that you want it. It's up to him to provide--you don't have to do a thing except provide a copy of his discharge certificate to prove his eligibility.
World War II vets--they saved the world--quite literally, and now they are dying at the rate of 1000 per day. They were truly the "Greatest Generation." You were lucky to have such a hero for a father, and he was lucky to have a daughter who cared so much!

I think the term you're looking for is a 3-volley salute.

 

[Bobtrumpet]

There is one issue that might be a problem. There is a severe shortage of military buglers available for military funerals.

The military has gone to using a bugle with a tape player installed to "play" taps to try and offset the demand for buglers.

Some funeral directors have sources for buglers, but most don't.

You might try contacting Bugles Across America to see if there is someone near you who might be available if your funeral director cannot find someone to play.

 

[_JP_]

When Dad was in high school he used to play Taps for the military funerals in his town. He was always behind a hill when did it, which made it seem to come out of no where.

 

[SRock]

Sue,

It saddens me to hear how a Veteran, one of "The Greatest Generation", your Father was kept and treated after he passed. I think TAPS is but one of the things such a man deserves. If you get the run around in any way from the funeral director you can contact the closest military unit (any branch of service) for assistance (contact the base/post operator and get the number to the Honor Guard). You may also get pointed in the right direction from your closest VFW or American Legion.
If you don't get anywhere with that/them let me know and I can put you in contact with our Honor Guard. Perhaps they can point you in the right direction.

The Bible says, "Honor thy Father". I know this is what you intend to do and I have a great deal of respect for you for doing it still after all these years.

The B&B is blessed to have a member such as yourself.

Rob

 

[Ru4scuba?]

Sue,

You've already received some great comments/suggestions. I'll simply say that it is ABSOLUTELY appropriate and I sincerely hope you are able to do so. I've studied WWII history for years and am in AWE of what his generation sacrificed.

Hats off to you for trying to honor him properly!