About The Maine Funeral Honors Program
The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is a way to show the Nation’s deep gratitude to those who, in times of war and peace, have faithfully defended our country. This ceremonial paying of respect is the final demonstration a grateful Nation can provide to the veterans’ families.
“How do I request Military Funeral Honors?”
Family members of the deceased Veteran should notify the Funeral Director of their desire to have Military Funeral Honors rendered at the internment for their loved one. The Funeral Director should contact the appropriate military branch casualty assistance center (CAC) of the deceased.
For Army Veterans call the Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator:
Office: (207)626-7822/7805
Toll free phone number: 1-800-958-5967
Cell: (703) 901-8531
Fax: (207) 626-7804
Email:
frank.norwood1@us.army.mil
United States Marine Corps:
516-228-5666
United States Navy:
860-694-3475
United States Air Force:
781-377-4850
United States
Coast Guard:
617-223-3476
If you have a problem acquiring Military Funeral Honors for ANY eligible Veteran, do not hesitate to call the Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator. We can and will provide appropriate Military Honors to any branch of service Veterans as long as the family understands and agrees to an Army Funeral Honors Team.
Maine Women Veterans Commission
In Honor of our veterans...With pride in our community...A commitment to future generations...
American Legion Department of Maine, Public Relations Historian Officer, Paul R. Bernard is pictured with Staff Sergeant Scott Wright, Sergeant Jacob "Jake" Matthews and Sergeant Justin Poirier at the Mid-Winter Conference.
Department of Maine Commander Paul L'Heureux invited the Maine Military Honors Program Coordinator, retired Master Sergeant Frank R. Norwood to demonstrate the proper presentation of the folding and presentation of the American Flag to a surviving family member.
Since the inception of the Maine Military Honors Program (late 2004) the Military Honors Program has provided Military Honors to 2300 families in Maine from Fort Kent to Kittery.
The Turner Memorial Post 111 will continually encourage its members to be trained so as to provide this final service to its veterans.
Retired
Master Sergeant, Frank R. Norwood, Military Funeral Honors Coordinator for
Maine's Army Veterans presented the program at the August 16th monthly meeting
of the American Legion, Turner Memorial Post 111.
back
left: Service Officer, Ronald E. Hiscock, 5th row right, Frederick M. Cilley,
4th row back, Webster W. Pierce Jr., 3rd row laughing heartily, Charles Scott
Garrand Honaker, 2nd row Henry B. Poisson, 1st row left Philip N. St. Pierre
right Joseph E. Velozo
Sergeant
Jake Mathews and Sergeant Justin Poirier unfold and straighten out the flag to
full length.
Harris L. Bradeen looks on as Sergeant Jake Mathews completes the first
lengthwise fold. The flag was then folded lengthwise a second time to meet the
open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward
in full view.
Sergeant
Brooke Hinkle looks on as Sergeant Justin Poirier begins a triangular fold by
bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge. The outer point
is then turned inward parallel with the open edge to form a second triangle. The
diagonal or triangular folding is continued toward the blue union until the end
is reached, with only the blue showing and the form being that of a cocked
(three corner) hat.
Sergeants
Jake Mathew, Justin Poirier and Brooke Hinkle at the August 16th, 2007, monthly
meeting for the Turner Memorial Post 111.
Those who survived were changed forever and those who died in service of their country were forever young in their loved one's memories. "To a large extent, the future greatness of America will be measured in a way her people remember and honor those who have served in her Armed Forces and cherish the eternal truths of Duty, Honor, Loyalty, Patriotism, Unselfishness, and Service for which they an their families have sacrificed so much. - Groman"
"The willingness with which our young people are likely to serve in any war, no matter how justified, shall be directly proportional to how they perceive the Veterans of earlier wars were treated and appreciated by their nation. - George Washington"
The following is an article that ran in the September, 2007 Country Courier
Corrections submitted by: Public Relations Historian Officer, 3rd District
Turner Memorial Post #111 Learns Military Funeral Protocols
Retired Master Sergeant, Frank R. Norwood, in the blue shirt, explains to the members of American Legion, Turner Memorial Post #111 the ‘ins and outs’ of properly folding an American Flag. Two members of Norwood’s team went through the steps as Norwood noted all the little “tricks” they employed to make the final fold perfect.
This demonstration was the first step in learning to provide military honors at Veterans’ funerals. Also in the photo are Chaplain, Paul R. Bernard to the right of Sergeant Norwood and Commander Harris L. Bradeen left of Sergeant Justin Poirier also Carl H. Witham is seen against the wall behind Sergeant Poirier.
To the far right front of the photo you can see Sergeant Brooke Hinkle and helping with the flag is Sergeant Jake Matthews who is unseen in this photo. Many members of the Post were also in the room observing as the ladies auxiliary were preparing refreshments in another room.
Turner’s newly re-established American Legion, Turner Memorial Post #111 is continuing to build its presence in the community and expanding its repertoire of offerings to its membership and local veterans. Commander, Harris L. Bradeen, invited Retired Master Sergeant, Frank R. Norwood to speak at the August meeting. Retired Master Sergeant, Frank R. Norwood is the coordinator of the Maine Military Funeral Honors program, who teaches and coordinates military funeral rights for all Maine veterans who request them. In his first visit to the Turner Post he explained the program and its rapidly growing popularity.
He predicted that the year 2007 would see well over 1000 veteran funerals where his program will have sent trained teams of three to do Pall Bearing, Flag Folding and Gun Salutes.
“We try not to turn down anyone, but we don’t want to break the program either by making too many demands on it. Flexibility is needed by families and their local American Legion Posts, VFW's, or other veteran organizations . We are trying to integrate local legion personnel with the trained teams we send. We try to give the family just what they want.” For the August 16th meeting in the Leavitt Institute Community Room, Mr. Norwood brought a trained crew of three Sergeants. They demonstrated how to properly fold a large American Flag, and present it to the deceased veteran’s family.
Norwood also, in response to a question, explained how veterans are categorized for burial honors by their years of service, medal/awards, rank and past, current or wartime service. After considering these criteria, the program then tries to meet the family’s wishes in honoring the deceased veteran. Norwood and his crew were speaking that evening in Turner after doing nine funerals that very day. Over the next couple years Post #111 plans to continue its training in providing military honors for local veterans’ funeral services.
The following is an article that ran in the September 10th, Sun Journal
American Legion learns Funeral Honors Detail
submitted by: Paul R. Bernard
Monday, September 10, 2007
TURNER
- Turner Memorial Post 111,
American Legion, has obtained the training needed to organize an honor guard
detail to provide military funeral honors.
Master Sergeant Frank R. Norwood presented the Maine military funeral honors
program to the Turner Post at its Aug. 16 meeting.
Also on hand to demonstrate the proper flag-folding program were Sergeants Jake
Mathew, Justin Poirier and Brooke Hinkle.
Any person who served in the Armed Forces, National Guard or Reserve and
received an honorable discharge is eligible for military funeral honors.
Section 578 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000
requires the Department of Defense to provide, upon request, military funeral
honors for eligible veterans.
Veterans, families of veterans, funeral directors and residents may call
626-7822 or e-mail frank.norwood1@us.army.mil
The Turner Post also posted American flags along Matthew Way on Aug. 14 to
commemorate the 62nd anniversary of V-J Day.
Folding the
flag
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
New
Auburn - Military Funeral
Honors Coordinator Frank R. Norwood was invited by New Auburn American Legion
Post 153 Vice Commander Raymond Lemieux to instruct on funeral laws and the
proper way to fold the American flag at a military funeral. Members from New
Auburn 153, Turner 111, Mechanic Falls 150 and Livermore Falls 10 posts were
present. Norwood is standing on the right side of the flag; on the left holding
the other end is Department of Maine American Legion Commander Paul L'Heureux;
and pointing at the stars is Post 153 Commander Emmett Stuart.
Flag Folding
December 6th, 2007
submitted by: Paul R. Bernard
Mechanic Falls Minot Post 150
2) 3rd District 1st Vice Commander Raymond Lemieux, Post
111, Sergeant-at-Arms Paul Turgeon, Post 111, 2nd Vice Commander Charles
Honaker, Post 111 Commander Warren Clark.
3) left to right, Ken Jordan, Post 111, Service Officer Ronald Hiscock, Post 111, Harris Bradeen, Post 111, Master Sergeant ret. Frank R. Norwood, Mechanic Falls/Minot Commander, Post 150, 3rd District Commander Kenneth Bouchard.
4) Kenneth Jordan, Post 111, right Paul Turgeon Sergeant-at-Arms Post 111, 3rd District 1st Vice Commander, Raymond Lemieux, Post 153.
5) Mechanic Falls/Minot Commander, Post 150, Charles Honaker, 2nd Vice Commander, Post 111, 3rd District Public Relations Historian Paul R. Bernard, Post 111, 3rd District Sergeant-at-Arms and Post 111 Commander, Warren K. Clark.
6) left to right: 3rd District Public Relations Historian and Post 111 Chaplain, Public Relations Historian, Paul R. Bernard, Kenneth Jordan, Post 111, 3rd District Sergeant-at-Arms Warren K. Clark and Post 111 Commander, Charles Honaker, 2nd Vice Commander, Post 111, Service Officer, Ronald Hiscock, Post 111.
7) 3rd District Public Relations Historian and Post 111 Chaplain, Historian and Publicity Officer.
8) left to right: Charles Honaker 2nd Vice Commander, Post 111, Ronald Hiscock Service Officer Post 111, Harris Bradeen Post 111, 3rd District Public Relations Historian Paul R. Bernard.
9) Kenneth Jordan, Post 111, 3rd District Sergeant-at-Arms Warren K. Clark, Mechanic Falls -Minot Commander, Post 150, Service Officer Ronald Hiscock, Post 111.
The Turner Post is accepting applications for membership for the American
Legion, Sons of the American Legion and Auxiliary.
Veterans
needed for funeral honors
Thursday, December 27, 2007
American Legion Chaplain Paul R. Bernard, left, and National Commander Martin Conatser recently discussed the need to organize color guards and firing squads for veterans' organizations in Androscoggin County.
Veterans needed for funeral honors
TURNER
- The Maine Funeral Honors Program and the American Legion Family
have announced that the Military Funeral Honors Program has expanded services to
include military funeral honors at the gravesites of veterans who did not
previously receive the honors at his or her death.
The rendering of military funeral honors is a way to show the nation's gratitude
to those who, in times of war and peace, have defended the country.
The need is rising and veterans need to be trained, said American Legion
Chaplain Paul R. Bernard.
There were 1,068 veterans who were provided honors in the
2006-2007 fiscal year and it is estimated that 1,500-plus honors will be
provided in the 2007-2008 fiscal year, said Bernard.
To request funeral honors for the spring, summer or fall of 2008, contact
frank.norwood@us.mil Requests
should be mailed between January and March so proper arrangements can be made.
A Military Honors Training Session was held at the American Legion Mechanic Falls Minot, Post 150 on Wednesday, January 22nd, 2008.
A presentation on the basic honors provided to a veteran was demonstrated. The unfolding and folding of the United States Flag and how it is presented to the surviving family member and the firing squad detail steps were also demonstrated.
1) Sergeant Jeremiah Cuevas, SPC Norman Voter and Sergeant Justin Poirier
2-5) SPC Norman Voter and Sergeant Justin Poirier
6-7) Sergeant Justin Poirier demonstrates how the flag is presented to the surviving family member and what is said to Joe Michaud, Americanism Officer of Post 135, Harry J. Conway, Sabattus.
8) from right to left: Paul Turgeon Post 111, Harris Bradeen Post 111, Charles Honaker Post 111, Al Harvey Post 135, Don Gosselin Post 135, Joe Michaud Post 135.
9-12) SPC Norman Voter demonstrates the proper handling of the rifle.
13) left to right: Harris Bradeen Post 111, Gordan Twitchell Post 111, Sergeant Justin Poirier
14) left to right: Gordon Twitchell Post 111, Harris Bradeen Post 111, Warren Clark Post 111, Jack Ricker Post 153, Sergeant Justin Poirier.
15) left to right: Don Gosselin Post 135, SPC Norman Voter, Al Harvey Post 135.
American Legion Funeral Honors Ceremony
The American Legion assisting as an “Authorized Provider”
In the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000, the United States Congress legislated that, upon request of the next of kin, all eligible veterans must receive Military Funeral Honors when they pass on. At a minimum, the funeral honors will consist of a two-person uniformed military detail, with at least one member representing the parent service of the deceased. The legislation also encourages veterans’ service organizations, and others, to augment the honors detail as an authorized provider with pallbearers, firing party, bugler and color guard.
The American Legion has performed thousands of burial ceremonies annually for the families of veterans throughout their history; this will not change. Over the years the organization has adopted certain ways and means that may differ from other groups. This does not mean they are wrong or improper, just different.
Whenever The American Legion is assisting the United States Government they should conform to the DOD’s methods of conduct. In working together, we honor, in the highest traditions of American military service, those who have gone before. In doing so, all the requirements for a reverent, respectful, and dignified ceremony are met.
The individual military services will provide training to an authorized provider assisting with the ceremony to include positioning, timing, safety, and proper funeral honors protocol.
The following represents DOD guidance on the rendering of Military Funeral Honors. By law, the Military Funeral Honors detail will consist of at least two uniformed members of the military, with the detail leader from the parent service of the deceased. When requested by the next of kin, the ceremonial paying of respect and gratitude to those who have faithfully defended our Nation MUST include the following:
¨The sounding of “Taps” and ceremonial folding and presentation of the American flag.
(The flag is always presented by the detail leader.)
The detail leader will coordinate all arrangements with the funeral director, other member(s) of the military honors detail, and with Authorized Providers, such as The American Legion. He or she will ensure the funeral director explains military honors to the family, and that they understand the honors to be performed. It is especially important the family know about the firing of three volleys, if a firing party is present. Additional Military Funeral Honors elements should be in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Once the detail leader has completed initial coordination, his or her final pre-interment responsibility is to train and rehearse the detail.
It is important for all involved to remember the detail leader bears the responsibility for all aspects of the Military Funeral Honors Ceremony, whether active duty service members or Authorized Providers perform those elements of the honors.
Positioning/Timing Protocol
1.The order of the ceremony is the sounding of “Taps,” the folding of the flag, and then the presentation of the flag to the family. If there is a firing party, the volleys are fired before the sounding of “Taps.” The detail leader is responsible for ensuring each step in the ceremony is executed properly, from the arrival of the funeral cortege to its departure.
2. The bugler and color guard should be placed at the gravesite so they are in view of the family, approximately 30-40 yards from the grave. The firing party should also be in view of the family, but 45-75 yards from the grave, positioned to fire over the grave.
3.The firing party may include three to eight rifle bearers, reflecting the American military custom of firing “three volleys of musketry” over the graves of fallen comrades.
4. The Military Honors detail should be positioned near where the hearse will stop. After the funeral procession has arrived, the funeral director will open the rear of the hearse and the pallbearers should move into position so they can move easily to the back of the hearse when needed.
5. When the family is ready to proceed, the funeral director will signal the pallbearers to withdraw the casket from the hearse and carry it to the grave. The bugler, firing party and color guard are already in their gravesite positions.
6. All detail participants (except for the pallbearers) will come to “Attention” and “Present Arms” as the casket is carried to the grave. All detail participants will “Order arms” after the casket has been placed on the lowering device. Pallbearers may be instructed to hold the flag over the casket, or move off as a group and stand in formation for the service.
7. During the committal or religious service, all the detail participants may go to “Parade Rest.”
8. When the committal or religious service is completed, the service representative and assistant will assume the clergy representative’s position at the head of the grave and all detail participants will come to the position of “Attention.” Then, the funeral director will ask the mourners to stand for the rendering of honors.
9 Once the mourners have risen, the detail leader and all elements will execute “Present Arms,” volleys will be fired, and “Taps” sounded. Upon completion of “Taps,” all will “Order Arms” and the funeral director will request the mourners to be seated.
10. Next the flag is folded. The two person military detail, the pallbearers, or a combination of the two can do this. Once the flag is folded, it MUST end up in the hands of the detail assistant, who will pass it to the detail leader.
11. The detail leader will present the flag to the next of kin. (The wording accompanying the presentation should be in accordance with each Military Service’s tradition of expressing the thanks of a grateful Nation.)
12. Following the flag presentation, the detail leader will offer condolences to the remainder of the immediate family and other mourners seated in the front row. It is appropriate and encouraged for a representative of the Authorized Provider to offer condolences after the detail leader.
13. Once condolences have been offered, the detail leader and assistant will return to the cortege arrival point and await the departure of the cortege. The bugler, firing party and color guard are released when the detail leader departs the gravesite. They may choose to remain in place until the family departs, or can return quietly to their own vehicles.
It is the sacred obligation of all Americans to honor our deceased veterans by performing these time-honored duties in the best tradition of the decedent’s Service. America’s veterans like The American Legion are helping to fulfill that obligation by supplementing the effort of the Military Services.
Authorized Providers may receive reimbursement for certain expenses incurred in the rendering of Military funeral Honors. The assigned military unit can assist in obtaining the reimbursement. Upon completion of the ceremony, the detail leader MUST ensure the required information on the Military Funeral Honors Data Collection Form is completed and submitted to the tasked organization.
As an authorized provider of military funeral honors, The American Legion is the Nation’s representative for this most hallowed event. The Legion’s dignified participation reflects the professionalism of our own service to the Nation, and leaves a lasting impression on everyone present – a source of pride and support for the veteran’s family, the friends and a grateful nation.
The above are the guidelines to follow if The American Legion is assisting as an Authorized Provider. If The American Legion is conducting the ceremony without the presence of a military detail, established Legion protocol and tradition may be followed in rendering honors to a veteran who served in the Armed Forces of the United States of America.
Yearly domain name, web host server, hardware, and software fees are all paid
by Chaplain Paul R. Bernard.
Any veteran organization or individual who desires to help
with the cost of this web site can send a donation to:
451 Lower Street, Turner, Maine 04282.
Checks are made payable to: Turner Veterans Council Inc.
Donations above cost for this web site will be used for the development of the
Veterans Memorial Park in Turner.
Telephone: 207-225-3285
Webmaster: missions@megalink.net
Post News: post111@megalink.net
District News: 3district@megalink.net
Post Mail: 451 Lower Street, Turner, Maine 04282-3906
This web site was created and is maintained for historical and public relations purposes. Copyright 2006 ~ All Rights Reserved