Veterans Outraged as Religious Recital Banned During Flag Folding
As you may or may not know, during military burials, it is tradition for the volunteers to fold the American flag 13 times. For each fold they recite the significance of the fold for the survivors. Folds 11 and 12 have proved problematic recently in that they refer to religious figures. The 11th fold celebrates veterans of Jewish decent and “glorifies the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.” The 12th fold is meant to glorify “God the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit.”
Unfortunately, complaints about the religious content of the recital have led to the recitation being banned across the country by the Veterans Administration employees and volunteers at all national cemeteries.
It is noted that it took only one complaint to have the recitation banned and the National Cemetery Administration has not yet disclosed the details of the complaint.
Veterans and the honor detail volunteers are livid. Bobby Castillo, 85, a World War II Navy veteran says it’s “a slap in the face of every veteran.” He also added, “When we got back from the war, we didn’t ask for a whole lot. We just wanted to give our veterans the respect they deserve. No one has ever complained to us about it. I just don’t understand.”
Rees Lloyd, 59, has his own ideas about what’s happening. “That the actions of one disgruntled, whining, narcissistic and intolerant individual is preventing veterans from getting the honors they deserve is truly an outrage. This is another attempt by secular fanatics to cleanse any reference to God.”
The spokesman for the National Cemetery Administration, Mike Nacincik, says the new policy is meant to create a uniform service throughout the military graveyard system. The recital is not part of the U.S. Flag Code, nor is it government approved.
Some have decided to ignore the edict. Charlie Waters is parliamentarian for the American Legion of California and says “There are 26 million veterans in this country, and they’re not going to take us all to prison.”
Rubi
November 1st, 2007 at 7:21 amI’m a proud American and veteran and I do support the removal of God or its contents from a military funeral as well as the separation of churh and state. I think religion and atheism are both personal beliefs and should be dealt with at home.The focus should be that all veterans are buried with dignity and honor.
No one is going to follow them home and prevent the family and friends from praying or in their mind.This is not a war against religion it’s being fair to all faiths or those who don’t follow organized religion. As American’s we have the freedom of religion. Atheism or agnosticism should fall under a belief system and be protected just as well withut being labeled hate mongers, or a secular fanatic.
I’m sure it has been more than one voice who supports these ideals I’m one. I’m not anti-religion I just like separation because it’s not a part of my life nor do I seek it.
Rubi
November 1st, 2007 at 8:32 amHere’s the actual article the “you served staff” article was reporting on; but did so in a biased way.
“13-Fold” Ceremony, Other Scripts Approved
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.”
Retrieved Nov.1st 2007
http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1406
It’s unfortunate your staff reports articles in such a one-sided view.I visited this site researching scholarships but after reading the article’s spin on the truth, I’m not interested a scholarship from your company.
jim
November 6th, 2007 at 8:08 ami came to this site looking for a VA home loan. i have checked out several other sites. i like this site because these blogs are RIGHT ON!!!!!! please do not stop. your views are in line with 90% of all vets out here. screw the whiners!
Terri
November 8th, 2007 at 10:58 amRubi I don’t see as their report was biased at all. It’s a tradition that’s been going on for many years, of course always at the request of the family. Initially when this news came out, the clarifications weren’t in the original article. They only clarified that LATER (about a week later to be exact) when many many veterans and family members expressed their displeasure. This report by the You Served Staff, was based on the original article and NOT the clarification that came out later.
David Lane
January 10th, 2008 at 9:23 amIn October, it was reported that the National Cemetery Administration banned the ceremony of “Script Recitals” at all funerals. Presently a debate rages as opponents of the ban fight what they consider an over zealous separation of Church and State.
At military funerals, it has been a tradition if requested by the family for the honor guard to fold the flag that covered the veteran’s coffin 13 times and to recite a script developed by veterans’ groups that suggests an inspirational meaning for each fold.
The Proponents of the ban identify what they consider offensive language in the eleventh and twelfth folds and readings.
Presently, our legal system is considering motions filed by the families of dead soldiers and those filed by protestors at funerals and proponents of the ban.
The issue is freedom, specifically the right of every soldier to practice religion. A soldier has the right to “Script Recitals” and it is the duty of all Americans to assert the rights of all citizens especially when citizens themselves cannot. Isn’t there a way to resolve this issue? Allow soldiers indicate in a will and testament as to their last wishes and whether or not they want the service that is traditional or non-secular.
It is the religious right of those that just died to protect and defend our country that we must not offend nor violate. Any movement to eliminate traditional practices must be tempered by the rights of individual soldiers to practice freely any religion regardless of whether or not it offends even a majority of the people.