President changes Military funerals

[Patricia M. McBride]

Our commander is chief has made a change in military funerals, and it is upsetting to those who have noticed.  It, to me, somehow diminishes the worth of these people who gave their lives or years of their lives fighting our wars and helping to keep us free.  This came from one of the members of the Arlington group.

 

When I received this email, I could not believe it...
> So, I checked with Snopes... I learned that it is TRUE:
> http://www.snopes.com/politics/military/funeral.asp
>
> There has been a change in U.S. military burial protocol!
> This is a letter that my good friend's husband
> wrote today after his uncle's
> funeral yesterday. If Obama does not want his
> name associated with our
> military, he does not deserve to be "The
> President of the United States". -
> Alice Frankovitch
> REMEMBER THIS on NOVEMBER 6, 2012

 

Dear Sean,
> 
Today I was incensed at the conclusion of a  traditional Serbian-Orthodox funeral for my beloved 85-year-old uncle, Daniel Martich, who proudly served in the US Army during the Korean conflict.  During the committal service at a Pittsburgh cemetery the local military
detachment performed their ritual, then folded and presented the American Flag to my aunt.
As I'm sure you have witnessed during military funerals, a soldier bends to one knee and recites a scripted message to a surviving relative that begins  'On behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation, I wish to present you with this flag in appreciation for your husband's service ...'   However, today the dialogue was 'On behalf of the Secretary of Defense and a grateful nation...'

After the service, I approached the soldier who presented the flag to my aunt to inquire about the change in language.  His response was: "The White House notified all military funeral service detachments to immediately remove 'the President' and insert 'the Secretary of  defense'.

I couldn't believe what I heard! The soldier just smiled and said, "You can draw your own conclusion, Sir, but that was the order". He, too, was ashamed of what he was required to say.  Obama has taken off the gloves. My only response to this endless cesspool of
anti-American rhetoric dripping from his mouth is to borrow a phrase "with one minor change" uttered by another temporary Washington resident living in government housing (his wife!): "Today for the first time in my adult life, I am ashamed of the current U.S. President!"
I did not serve in the military but my love of  country parallels that of  people like my late uncle who bled red, white and blue. As a second generation Serbian-American who's heritage
produced many patriotic military men and women who fought for freedom both in the United States as well as in the former Yugoslavia (most recently in Kosovo against the slaughter of
Serbs by Muslim extremists), I implore you to make the American people aware of this little-known or, at least, publicly acknowledged fact.  May God Bless you and your family during these difficult times. Your voice of reason is a welcome change from the insanity plastered across the country by the liberal media. Keep up the great work and thank you for your service to our country.
 Sincerely,
 John G. Martich
 Weirton, WV
 [phone]
 [phone]

PLEASE PASS THIS ON TO FRIENDS AND REMEMBER 2012  IS TIME FOR A NEW PRESIDENT
AND COMMANDER IN CHIEF

[Patricia M. McBride]

Agree Amanda, if they can't or won't make an exception, then, they should be sure someone is available who can thank them for their service to this country from the president (whoever it is at the time).

[amanda choate]

John and Patricia I agree, and as such an officer should be made available by the services to these funerals.

Part of the problem is the incredible rate that WWII veterans are dying each year. It presents a terrific strain on the military to provide personnel for these funerals.

[Patricia M. McBride]

I think it reflects very poorly on whoever made the decision to do this.  There are exceptions to every rule and one could have been made.  As John says, the president is the commander in chief.  I am not sure this was done to throw mud at Obama (he has done enough all on his own to make himself look bad I would think).  Certainly the latest attempt to throw out the 1st amendment to the constitution hasn't won him any applause.

[Patricia M. McBride]

Most people know what the "repeated" statement is when they are presented the flag.  Certainly I did and would have questioned wondered as well.  Thanks Amanda!

[amanda choate]

It was changed 5 years ago.
Enlisted men never quote an officerf. Ever. They are only allowed to report what they heard. A subtle but important difference.
Why on earth would a family be hurt by a memorized statement? They have just lost a loved one. That hurts.
The reason a enlisted man can speak for the Sec. Of Defense, he is a civilian.

[Patricia M. McBride]

It is what people have come to expect, and when something is changed, as this was, it leaves the family wondering if their family is considered less important or their loss less cared about.  Where ever did you get the quote info????  The burial detactments were doing this before they stopped it.  It isn't the enlisted man that is insulted, it is the family!

[amanda choate]

Itt is miltary protocol. Enlisteds do not quote officers, period, ever.
The post linked to Snopes directly. If it wrong then it is always wrong no matter who ordered it
I imagine few words offer much consolence, no matter in whose name they are uttered.

[Patricia M. McBride]

and if it came from Snopes, it is already suspect, but posted what one of the folks sent verbatim.  I recieved something yesterday from another member that said he has checked Snopes countless times and then, done research and found the info on Snopes was wrong.  He also felt if he could find the info, the folks on Snopes could have too as that is all they do is verify and deny information is accurate.

[Patricia M. McBride]

I received this yesterday from 2 members of the Arlington group and posted it.  I am not sure the wording should be changed even if an officer isn't saying the words..........that is luny.  They have groups that perform these functions and am sure enlisted people have been involved for a very long time!  And after some of what Obama has done and is doing, how is he so special that only an officer can mouth the words???

[amanda choate]

So I read the Snopes response to this letter. There are several things that should be noted.

First only an officer is allowed to speak for the president, which is why the wording was changed to reflect that there wasn't always an officer present to hand the flag to the family.

Second, this was instituted in 2007.