|
The Truth:
The email is authentic and TruthOrFiction.com
communicated with the writer,
John G. Martich of Weirton, WV.
Martich told us
this happened on September 3, 2011 at a Pittsburgh cemetery at the funeral of his uncle, U.S.
Army Korean War Veteran Daniel Martich. A spokesperson for
U.S. Army Public Affairs Department told TruthOrFiction.com that there
has not been any official change in the protocol of presenting the flag
to the family of a member of the military who has died.
Martich said he was standing next to his aunt when the flag was
presented to her. He also told us that he used to be employed in the
funeral industry, had experienced past military services and was
surprised by the variation from the script that he had heard during
previous ceremonial handovers of the flag that draped the coffin.
Like Mr. Martich, most
people who have attended funerals of military personnel are accustomed
to hearing a reference to the President during the presentation of the
flag but that is because it's become a tradition to do so, not because
it is a required part of official protocol.
The actual wording of the presentation of the flag, according to current
U.S. Army regulation, is, "Sir/Ma'm, this flag is presented on
behalf of a grateful nation as an expression of appreciation for the
honorable and faithful service rendered by your loved one."
We checked the
web site
for Military Funeral Honors Commander's Reference for Authorized
Provided Partnership Program, which seems to indicate that the protocol
has not changed. The site has scripts of "preferred wording" that vary
by military branch and all include mention of the
President:
Generally, after
"Taps" is sounded, the flag is folded and presented to the appropriate
family member.
Stand facing the flag
recipient and hold the folded flag waist-high with the straight edge
facing the recipient.
Kneel, on one knee, in front of the flag recipient and solemnly
present the flag to the recipient.
Present the flag using the veteran's Service preferred wording:
Army:
On behalf of the President of the United States and the people of a
grateful nation, may I present this flag as a token of appreciation for the honorable and faithful service your loved one
rendered this nation.
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.
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
.
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 [Service member's rank and
name]. (NOTE: 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.")
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.
updated 09/14/11 |
|
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 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. This president 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: "Today for the first time in my adult life I was
ASHAMED of my country". 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.
|
