Recently the National Cemetery Administration responded to complaints about religious references in the traditional flag-folding ceremony used at many military funerals and banned the ceremony. (See
prior posting.) Negative reaction to that decision has been swift, and last Tuesday the Department of Veteran's Affairs
issued a clarification:
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.... 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... Volunteer honor guards will accept requests for recitations that reflect any or no religious traditions, on an equal basis.
In a speech to the American Legion on Thursday (
full text), Vice President Dick Cheney referred to the clarification:
As most of you know, our nation has 125 national cemeteries operated by the VA. Burials conducted in those cemeteries should honor the wishes of the families, including those that relate to religious observances. And despite the confusing order that recently came out of the federal bureaucracy, I want you to know that honor guards at military funerals will give the 13-fold recitation at any service where the family requests it.
Today's Christian Post reports that conservative Christian groups such as the American Center for Law and Justice are still unhappy because the policy now permits only volunteer honor guards, and not officials such as military chaplains, to read the recitation. Also families will no longer receive the flyer informing them of optional flag-folding ceremony. However a
posting today on the ACLJ's website says it is pleased with the resolution of the matter as announced by Vice-President Cheney.
