| Veterans
News Flash 
VA
Clarifies Policy on
Flag-Folding Recitations
WASHINGTON -- 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.
SOURCE:
U.S.
Department of Defense
top
of page | 
