M14 Forum

Silver Eagle · November 5th, 2011, 06:58 PM

My dad, who like me is a vet as well, e-mailed this to me and all I can say is I was ashamed to call my self an amercian if your president can get away with THIS....Please read...

This is something new I had not heard about before. Apparently, this is written by the nephew of
a deceased veteran. This president has now taken off the gloves, it seems, that’s good, now we know exactly what we are dealing with. November of 2012 can’t come soon enough....please pass this on so that others can be aware of it....Char

Subject: Fw: 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

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 and 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.

Beavis1971 · November 5th, 2011, 07:17 PM

I wouldn't want any condolences spoken over me from the current Turd in Chief anyway.

warbird9 · November 5th, 2011, 07:47 PM

November, 2012.

Welding Rod · November 5th, 2011, 08:00 PM

But is it true?

fcr · November 5th, 2011, 08:15 PM

You might want to do a little research before you post chain letters. I am amazed when people read something with no fact checking, and take it for truth, when all they had to do was do a little digging to find out it is bull****. I am not trying to get into an argument, our country needs to pull together instead of apart.
xhttp://urbanlegends.about.com/b/2011/10/07/did-obama-change-military-funeral-protocol.htm

DukeRustfield · November 5th, 2011, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Welding Rod

But is it true?

I couldn't find anything entirely consistent.

http://www.mfhcmdrs.osd.mil/mfhcr_edu_present.htm

http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/law.html

http://www.army.mil/article/60730/

Quote:

MILITARY FUNERAL FLAG PRESENTATION PROTOCOL

A United States flag drapes the casket of deceased Servicemembers and Veterans to honor their service to America. The flag is placed so that the blue field with stars is at the head and over the left shoulder of the deceased. After Taps has been played, the flag is carefully folded into the symbolic tri-cornered shape. A properly proportioned flag will fold 13 times on the triangles, representing the 13 original colonies. The folded flag is emblematic of the tri-cornered hat worn by the Patriots of the American Revolution. When folded, no red or white stripe is to be evident, leaving only the blue field with stars. The folded flag is then presented as a keepsake to the next of kin or an appropriate family member. Each branch of the Armed Forces uses its own wording for the presentation ...
U.S. Army ... This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.

U.S. Marine Corps ... On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and Corps.

U.S. Navy ... On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to this Country and a grateful Navy.

U.S. Air Force ... On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of rank and name of deceased.

U.S. Coast Guard ... On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to Country and the Coast Guard.

If the next of kin has expressed a religious preference or belief, add ... God bless you and this family, and God bless the United States of America.

The only references I could find were to this specific chain letter and the above info. (Though I obviously didn't scour the entire military internet...) Interestingly, the laws that govern military funerals don't lay out any of this and leave it to the Secretary of Defense to define. The President is never mentioned in actual laws regarding military funerals and honors. But I suppose that makes sense.

I always wondered about the Secretary of Defense and President saluting. They're in two worlds, being both at the head of the military yet civilians. I don't particularly think they should salute. They always do a crap job of it anyway.

sam68 · November 5th, 2011, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beavis1971

I wouldn't want any condolences spoken over me from the current Turd in Chief anyway.

I second this, makes me sick to my stomach watching him present the medal Of Honor, this piece of $hit should be no where near such amazing hero's.

Phinehas · November 5th, 2011, 09:36 PM

Curious George?, . . I read that book when I was a little boy.

Huda thunk?

oldflyboy · November 6th, 2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Silver Eagle

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'.

Sorry for commenting so late.....I read a similar story back during the Clinton administration.
It's surprising that something like this can go on for so long, or be dug up and polished periodically.
I can understand how youngsters can become alarmed by these old tales, having never heard them.

hammer 1 · November 6th, 2011, 05:15 PM

So, is it true or not? If it is, its disgusting, and shamful. And like was already said, he could take his " condolences", and stick em in his 4th point of contact .

wrongside · November 6th, 2011, 05:27 PM

All the more reason to join Oath Keepers!

DukeRustfield · November 6th, 2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldflyboy

It's surprising that something like this can go on for so long, or be dug up and polished periodically.

I don't think it's surprising. In fact, I believe both political parties put out this stuff on a regular basis. You can see it's gotten traction here without any substantive proof at all--though mostly it's preaching to the choir.

I had watched some of All the President's Men about the concept of "rat f**king" where they would use dirty tricks to undermine their opponents. It's a lot harder to track if it's just an internet chain message.

philip26p · November 6th, 2011, 10:09 PM

Duke I don’t believe the majority of us believed it, but if it were true it would be wrong. I don’t believe it because it would only infuriate most people to have it changed, and cost him people in an election.

CHARLIED308 · November 10th, 2011, 07:28 PM

Who knows if this story is true or not; we may never know. I will never, ever be ashamed to call myself an American. I may not like who is currently at the helm, but I will stand by my country and fellow Veterans until the end.

BillyW · November 10th, 2011, 07:38 PM

wow, lots of hate on this site