The History of Taps

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps. Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune, borrowed from the French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac."
          This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874 It was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.        
                      - from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.
Lights Out on the bugle:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTXo6uplYQE
Taps on the bugle:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-Xrlf3taEo
Personal note:
Additionally, I have a friend who was a Marine.  He’d cringe hearing me say that because after all we know, ‘once a Marine, always a Marine!’  He wrote the following poem and although it’s intended for a Marine, any branch could respectfully be inserted at the end.  He was kind enough to give me permission to read it at graveside services which I have done, and to publish it (which I would never do without giving him the credit at the end).  I am thankful that my friend is still alive and well, and never want to hear this recited in his honor.  Here is his poem:
BUGLER
Bugler please don’t sound the charge,
our ranks are getting thin.
Our arms are oh so weary,
and our eyes are growing dim.
There was a time so long ago
we answered every call,
Through shot and shell
and fire and hell,
we watched our comrades fall.
Now, I’ve got one more call to answer,
so one favor I ask perhaps.
As they lay this old Marine to rest,
will you honor me with taps?
Written by: Bill Robinson – 2008
Thank you for sharing these blogs.  Let us NEVER FORGET…..all gave some, some gave all.
To see a demonstration of FULL MILITARY HONORS cut and paste the link to follow into your browser  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qhXkP2emFII&feature=related

Veterans - Part 3 of 3

Many civilians ask me, “What do we do as a civilian while the military do their thing at a military funeral?”  Here are simple, easy to follow steps to help honor those who served.
Expected Military Funeral Etiquette
While any funeral is a reverent affair, military funerals seem a bit more formal. Therefore, the family in mourning, and other family members and friends in attendance expect certain etiquette.
Military Personnel
If you are a member of the Armed Forces, you will be expected to behave in a manner becoming a soldier or sailor. Besides wearing your dress uniform, you should salute when it is appropriate (except if you are a pallbearer):
- When the hearse passes in front of you
- At any time while the casket is being moved
- During the gun salute
- While Taps is being played
- If present when the casket is being lowered into the ground
If you are in civilian dress, you should remove your hat and place it over your heart in lieu of saluting. Use your right hand if you aren't wearing a hat. Remain standing for the entire service except when the chaplain or other religious figure is reading the committal service if seating is available.
Family Members and Friends
Everyone in attendance at a military funeral should be dressed respectfully. Everyone should be comfortable but should also be dressed appropriately.
Allow immediate family members to sit in the chairs available at the cemetery. The next of kin should be in front, as he or she will be the recipient of the folded American flag given as part of the service. Family members and friends who are seated at the gravesite should remain seated throughout the ceremony.
Those attending the service should follow the lead of the chaplain or Honor Guard Detail. Cell phones should be turned off or at least silenced.
WHEN IN DOUBT
When in doubt, identify who the funeral director is before the services begin.  He or she has studied this topic as part of our training and your cues can be taken from his or her actions.
SOURCE: http://www.funeralresources.com/resources/military-funeral-etiquette/

Veteran's Benefits part 2 of 3

Taking care of our servicemen and women is an honor for me.  I get to give something back to the heroes who have given me so much in the way of freedom that mostly goes unnoticed behind the scenes but happens 24/7.

Veterans are taken away from their families for protracted periods of time, away on holidays, for their own child's birth, and many important dates. Families are never sure if when they say goodbye for a deployment if they'll ever get to hold their loved one again.  I am proud to serve those families as a way of saying thanks for putting up with so much in their own lives.  And, should the supreme sacrifice be made for us, I am all the more honored to give as much as I can back to the veteran and his/her family.

In Part 1 of this series, I provided a general summary of what the government might contribute if a myriad of conditions are met.  This second part is a little more cut and dried.

If you served in the military and received anything other than a dishonorable discharge, chances are very high you are entitled to the following by submitting the Veteran's DD-FORM-214 or similar proof of service to the funeral home:

An American flag, Military honors rendered at the graveside, funeral home or place of worship which includes a rifle salute (if available), taps, flag folding and presentation to the next-of-kin.
A veteran's flat marker in either bronze or granite, in a cemetery other than Veteran National Cemetery.  Some of the information to be put on that marker is mandated, however, some is voluntary and you will work on that with your funeral director. *Note: Even though the veteran is entitled to this, some cemeteries restrict the placement of these markers in various places within their cemetery. Check with your cemetery when purchasing property there ahead of time to make certain a veteran's marker will be permitted on that specific location within that cemetery.  In a Veteran's National Cemetery, other options are available including an upright white marble monument.

There is a veteran cemetery on Bow Lane in Middletown, and some cemeteries have a "Veteran's Section." Check with your local funeral home for these.  See link: http://www.ct.gov/ctva/lib/ctva/Cemetery_Brochure_rev_4.pdf

Some burial benefits are granted to the veteran's spouse in a veteran's cemetery.

It is always good to check ahead of time as to what you do or do not qualify for. That is why I will always advocate for making pre-arranged funeral plans.  I will be addressing this topic in greater detail in a future blog.

DD-FORM-214's or other official discharge papers should be preserved and stored in a safe place where family members know where to immediately access it.  Veterans might be entitled to other tax benefits as well so check with your local town/city.  You might be required to file a copy of your discharge papers with them which is another resource for us to attempt to locate it at the time of death for funeral/burial benefits.

I hope this is interesting and helpful to the readers. Some blogs are a bit longer than others but I want you, the reader, to obtain the most information possible under that specific heading of which I'm writing.

Stay tuned for Part 3 of this series which will discuss how civilians should act/re-act at a veteran's funeral/burial service.

Veteran funeral benefits part 1 of 3

Every day I thank God for our veterans.  Because of them I have the freedom to write these blogs without censorship.  Because of them I can worship freely on Sundays.  Because of them I can say what I say, do what I do and enjoy my life more fully and I thank not only the veterans but their families who understand the Veteran's call to duty.
Many times I have had a veteran's family come in to make funeral arrangements. Often times they say something like, "Dad was a veteran so his funeral should be taken care of by the government, right?"
While I would like give them a favorable response I have to give them the facts which I will list for you here.
* What are VA Burial Allowances? - They are partial reimbursements of an eligible Veteran's burial and funeral costs.  When the cause of death is not service-related, the reimbursements are generally described as two payments:  1) a burial and funeral expense allowance, and 2) a plot or interment allowance.
* Who is eligible? - You might be eligible for a VA burial allowance if:
You paid for a veteran's burial or funeral, AND you have not been reimbursed by another government agency or some other source, such as the deceased veteran's employer, AND the veteran was discharged under conditions other that dishonorable.
In addition, at least ONE of the following conditions must be met:
• The veteran died because of a service-related disability - OR
• The veteran was receiving VA pension or compensation at the time of death, - OR
• The veteran was entitled to receive VA pension or compensation, but decided not to reduce his/her military retirement or disability pay, - OR
• The veteran died while hospitalized by VA, or while receiving care under VA contract at a non-VA facility, - OR
• the veteran died while traveling under proper authorization and at VA expense to or from a specified place for the purpose of examination, treatment or care, - OR
• The veteran had an original or reopened claim pending at the time of death and has been found entitled to compensation or pension from a date prior to the date of death, - OR
• The veteran died on or after Oct. 9, 1996, while a patient at a VA-approved state nursing home.
So, how much does VA pay?  Service related death:  VA will pay up to $2,000 toward burial expenses for deaths on or after Sept. 11, 2001.  VA will pay up to $1,500 for deaths prior to Dept 10, 2001.  If the veteran is buried in a Veterans' Administration national cemetery, some or all of the cost of transporting the deceased might be reimbursed.
Non-service related death:  For deaths on or after Oct. 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $700 toward burial and funeral expenses (if hospitalized by VA at time of death), or $300 toward burial and funeral expenses (if not hospitalized by VA at time of death, and a $700 plot-interment allowance (if not buried in a national cemetery).
For deaths on or after Dec 1, 2001, but before Oct 1, 2011, VA will pay up to $300 toward burial and funeral expenses and a $300 plot-initerment allowance.
The plot-interment allowance is $150 for deaths prior to Dec 1, 2001.  If the death happened while the veteran was in a VA hospital or under VA contracted nursing home care, some or all of the costs for transporting the veteran's remains may be reimbursed.  An annual increase in burial and plot allowances, for deaths occurring after Oct 1, 2011, begins in fiscal year 2013 based on the Consumer Price Index for the preceding 12-month period.
How can I apply?  You can fill out VA Form 21-530, Application for Burial benefits.  you should attach a copy of the veteran's military discharge document (DD 214 or equivalend), death certificate, funeral and burial bills.  They should show that you have paid them in full.  You may download the form at  http://www.va.gov/vaforms/
For more information by phone you may call             1-800-827-1000       or visit the web site at http://www.va.gov (which is the source for this information)
IMPORTANT NOTE:  Please take note that most of the terminology says "might" or "if" and there are many stipulations of eligibility.  Also, it stipulates that if qualified, reimbursement will be made to you, the family who makes the arrangements.  This means you still have to pay the bill to the funeral home FIRST.  The funeral home won't bill the government and wait for approvals, processing etc.  I can say however, that our funeral home will assist your family with any paperwork or processes to help you receive the maximum reimbursement you are entitled to.
Veterans Part 2 of 3 will discuss what Veterans are entitled to at no cost.

Funerals 101

Funerals-101 (“I didn’t know I could do that!”)
The first consideration consumers should consider is if they want a “traditional burial” service, cremation with a service, or a hybrid between the two.  Of course there are what we in the business refer to as “immediate burial” and “direct cremation” options as well which I’ll also explain.
Traditional burial was formerly the standard by which all other service types were compared.  The deceased person would be taken to the funeral home where they would be embalmed (replacing the blood with chemicals to render the body sanitary for public viewing and to create a pleasant viewing experience), dressed and casketed.  There would be calling hours – sometimes called a “viewing” or “visitation”, which would occur the night before and may even take place over the course of two days.  The next day people would reassemble at the funeral home for a short period; a procession would leave the funeral home and go to a church where a service would be held, then a procession to a cemetery for burial.
Cremation – There are virtually unlimited options here which I’ll try to keep in synopsis form
a) Embalming, dressing, casketing and viewing/calling hours either all in the same day or the evening before with services the following day at the funeral home or church.  After the services, the deceased would be taken to the crematory thereafter.  The cremated remains may be retained by family or buried at a later date with or without ceremony.
b) Visitation/calling hours may be held with or without cremated remains present.  Funeral services can be held at the funeral home the same day or evening of the visitation/calling hours and burial may or may not take place thereafter based on preference.  Cremated remains may be retained by family or buried after the services with or without ceremony.
So many options!  Time is usually not a factor here.  While Connecticut law prohibits anyone from being cremated until 48hours after death, the services can be delayed to suit multiple preferences.  With such a mobile society today, family and friends are spread more widely throughout the state, country or even across the globe.  Services can be timed to coincide with other events that would bring people together.
Immediate burial is a relatively inexpensive option to those who for religious reasons or just personal preference do not want cremation.  There is typically no embalming, calling hours/visitation, funeral services etc.  A burial then takes place with or without ceremony.
Direct cremation is the least expensive option of all.  There are no services of any type, no burial etc.  Formal documents are signed to allow the cremation to take place and once the cremation is complete, the cremated remains are returned to the responsible party to take custody of them.
Options are many.  Remember my motto?  “If it’s not illegal, immoral or unethical, I’m on board!”  If you have questions about a service type you would like considered, please call or email me.
Mark Kalinowski at Church & Allen Funeral Home 860-889-2374 or Mark.Kalinowski@Dignitymemorial.com

I will next be posting a 3-part series for Veterans.  Come back and visit.