Ya, it sucks that one person has the power to end something that has been synonomous with veteran barriels for so long. It should at least be up to the family as to what type of service they would like. The procession could always just do it anways despite the upset. What are they going to do, raise the dead?

I agree Teach leave it up to the families. This is a solemn service of internment not a high school pep rally. Let the families decide.

I agree, the family of the fallen soldier should have the say on what type of burial their fallen soldier gets. And not some disgruntled cousin, but the parents or spouse.

Veterans and the volunteers should recite this in protest, with the family's approval.

I've never heard anyone give this explanation. The ceremonies I've been to have been done in silence.

Maybe its my sheltered life. Am I wrong?

You've all been punked.

Urban Legends - Flag Folding

America Legion Flag procedures

13 folds could "legally" be a reference to 13 ingredient in a Satanic cheeseburger if you'd like. There is no "official" meaning or procedure.

Doioioioioioiinnggg!

congressive,

Ummm...are you that obtuse? Did you read the story? Have you looked up what has happened? Or did you just pick up something on this at a lefty blog and think you're on to something?

From UPI:

RIVERSIDE, Calif., Oct. 26 (UPI) -- A federal agency has banned flag-folding recitations at U.S. veterans cemeteries after a complaint over religious content.

The Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise said the recitation, used at thousands of military burials, explains the significance of each of the 13 folds of the flag.

The newspaper said a complaint was lodged against the words for the 11th fold, which "celebrates Jewish war veterans and "glorifies the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob."

Mike Nacincik, a spokesman for the National Cemetery Administration, said the complaint originated from someone who witnessed the ceremony at Riverside National Cemetery in California, the newspaper said.

He said the 13-fold recital is not part of the U.S. Flag Code and is not government approved.

Nacincik said the main reason for the new rules is uniformity.

It should at least be up to the family as to what type of service they would like.

I agree completely, and must compliment Cav on his concurrence. While not an overly religious person myself, I consider myself a Christian, a believer, and I believe that a very high percentage of the American people are believers.

It appears that this recitation, which I too have never heard of, is inclusive of all faiths, and should be performed at the discretion of the family.

CallMeTeach, what is a "barriel?" Would that be a burial for a barrel? C'mon now--are you a real teacher? Are you Casper?

Our liberals got this one right, wow!

Let the families decide.

C'mon now--are you a real teacher? Are you Casper?

I kind of had that same feeling all along, Keefer.

Jeremiah

Up until now I had never heard of this and I have attended 6 burials at Arlington (1 for my father, another for my father-in-law and the rest kinfolk of friends) and have never heard this.

Seems to me the immediate family (spouse/children/parents..in that order) should have say over what is said/not said at the funeral.

But something is weird about this story. An honor guard (usually from the closest Guard unit) performs the flag folding, not volunteers from the VA.
When was the last time you saw a VA civvie wearing a uniform performing the flag folding?
I think someone has their wires crossed.

Mark, you advocate a non-standard ceremony within the uber-disciplinary military machine? Surely you jest. The 13-fold "recitation" was an unbuttoned shirt in a military exercise. No matter how "religious" you profess to be, the military doesn't allow variation to their procedures.

Would they allow a wiccan or wizard ceremony reciting 13 incantations to invoke Satan at a pagan soldier's graveside? You ok with that? Where is Allah in all this? How about Jah? Buddha? L. Ron Hubbard?

How about a "worm food" fold in honor of our greatest fallen hero of this trillion dollar fraud, poor poor Pat Tillman? Remember him? I do.

I am a VA Volunteer at Riverside National Cemetery. I have performed over 2000 services in Military Dress Blues.Our team does not perform the 13 fold recital because the author is unknown and it is not part of the official military ceremony.We fold the flag in a precise,dignified manner and present it to the next of kin.We have a Color Guard,Rifle Detail and Bugler.After we leave a Chaplain or Minister takes care of the Spiritual needs of the family.There are over 30 volunteer teams at Riverside.