Monthly Archives: March 2021

The Old Guard firing party is comprised of one firing party commander and seven Old Guard Infantryman who hold the sacred duty of rendering final honors to military veterans through the precision of a 21-gun salute. On the command of “ready” each member of the firing party removes his weapon from the safe position. On the command of “aim” the butt of the weapon is brought up to the pocket of the shoulder meticulously so that the handgrip rests in the palm of the left hand, and the right hand grasps the small of the stock with the finger on the trigger. The firers then simultaneously turn their heads, keeping them vertical, to look over the barrel of the weapons. On the command of “fire” all weapons are fired in unison; each firer then return his weapon to the port arms position to await further orders. On the command of “ready” the firing party charges and releases the charging handle, in unison, seating the second round. The seven members of the firing party continue to take commands from the firing party commander and execute as one element until the 21-gun salute to the honored military veteran is complete.

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The Old Guard firing party is comprised of one firing party commander and seven Old Guard Infantryman who hold the sacred duty of rendering final honors to military veterans through the precision of a 21-gun salute. On the command of “ready” each member of the firing party removes his weapon from the safe position. On the command of “aim” the butt of the weapon is brought up to the pocket of the shoulder meticulously so that the handgrip rests in the palm of the left hand, and the right hand grasps the small of the stock with the finger on the trigger. The firers then simultaneously turn their heads, keeping them vertical, to look over the barrel of the weapons. On the command of “fire” all weapons are fired in unison; each firer then return his weapon to the port arms position to await further orders. On the command of “ready” the firing party charges and releases the charging handle, in unison, seating the second round. The seven members of the firing party continue to take commands from the firing party commander and execute as one element until the 21-gun salute to the honored military veteran is complete.

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How To Prepare for a Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery

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If your loved one is a veteran of the US military, you can honor their passing by arranging for a service at the Arlington National Cemetery. While an Arlington service is arranged by a funeral director, and many of the expenses are covered by the government, there are still some preparations you should make beforehand. Let us help you learn how to prepare for a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

Assembling Documentation

In order to arrange and attend the service, there are a few documents that you must either submit for review by Arlington staff or present to security on the day of the service, so they know that you and your guests are supposed to be there. These documents include:

  • DD214 or equivalent service documentation in order to prove your loved one is eligible to be put to rest at Arlington National Cemetery.
  • Your loved one’s death certificate.
  • A cremation certificate, if applicable.
  • Succession documents for the PADD to act on behalf of the Primary Next of Kin.
  • For unmarried adult dependents, two extra documents are required: a notarized statement from an individual that can testify to the marital status, the degree of dependency, and the name of the dependent’s parent.
  • Other additional documents provided prior to the service for signature.

COVID-19 Considerations

Because of the pandemic, you’ll also need to know how to prepare for a funeral at Arlington Nation Cemetery according to CDC guidelines to ensure the safety of everyone present. Everyone attending the service, including Arlington staff, must wear a face covering. Both Arlington National Cemetery and military service branches are closely watching the situation and will inform you if extra precautions are necessary in order to abide by current COVID-19 protocols.

Service Photography

Whether your loved one is receiving standard military honors or full military honors at Arlington, there is no shortage of beautiful traditions that you will likely want to remember. Funeral photographers like those at Arlington Media are professionals who know how to capture these precious memories without interfering or disrupting the service. We would be honored to assist you with your service.

Today is Medal of Honor day at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 400 Medal of Honor recipients are represented at Arlington National Cemetery, ranging from the Civil War to current conflicts. There are three different types of Medal of Honor today: the original star shape established in 1861, which the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have retained; a wreath version designed in 1904 for the Army; and an altered wreath version for the Air Force, adopted in 1965. All three types are worn suspended below a neck ribbon. On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced a bill designed to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor.” On December 21, 1861, the bill passed, authorizing 200 such medals to be produced “which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seaman-like qualities during the present war” [the Civil War]. President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill, inaugurating the Navy Medal of Honor. Two months later, on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill to authorize the president “to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle.” The bill passed both houses of Congress, President Lincoln signed it, and on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was established. On August 10, 1956, legislation authorized the United States Air Force (established as a separate service branch in 1947) to create its own Medal of Honor. In 1965, the Air Force introduced its distinctive medal, which is similar to the Army’s wreath design but larger and featuring the head of the Statue of Liberty. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many Medal of Honor recipients from the following conflicts: Indian Wars Civil War Spanish American War Philippine Insurrection Boxer Rebellion Mexican Service Campaign (Vera Cruz) Haitian Campaign World War I Second Nicaraguan Campaign World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom

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Today is Medal of Honor day at Arlington National Cemetery. More than 400 Medal of Honor recipients are represented at Arlington National Cemetery, ranging from the Civil War to current conflicts. There are three different types of Medal of Honor today: the original star shape established in 1861, which the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard have retained; a wreath version designed in 1904 for the Army; and an altered wreath version for the Air Force, adopted in 1965. All three types are worn suspended below a neck ribbon. On December 9, 1861, Iowa Senator James W. Grimes introduced a bill designed to “promote the efficiency of the Navy” by authorizing the production and distribution of “medals of honor.” On December 21, 1861, the bill passed, authorizing 200 such medals to be produced “which shall be bestowed upon such petty officers, seamen, landsmen and marines as shall distinguish themselves by their gallantry in action and other seaman-like qualities during the present war” [the Civil War]. President Abraham Lincoln signed the bill, inaugurating the Navy Medal of Honor. Two months later, on February 17, 1862, Massachusetts Senator Henry Wilson introduced a similar bill to authorize the president “to distribute medals to privates in the Army of the United States who shall distinguish themselves in battle.” The bill passed both houses of Congress, President Lincoln signed it, and on July 12, 1862, the Army Medal of Honor was established. On August 10, 1956, legislation authorized the United States Air Force (established as a separate service branch in 1947) to create its own Medal of Honor. In 1965, the Air Force introduced its distinctive medal, which is similar to the Army’s wreath design but larger and featuring the head of the Statue of Liberty. Arlington National Cemetery is the final resting place for many Medal of Honor recipients from the following conflicts: Indian Wars Civil War Spanish American War Philippine Insurrection Boxer Rebellion Mexican Service Campaign (Vera Cruz) Haitian Campaign World War I Second Nicaraguan Campaign World War II Korean War Vietnam War Operation Iraqi Freedom

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The Old Post Chapel is situated adjoining Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery on Meigs Drive. Meigs Drive is named after prominent military leader Major Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs who is buried in Section 1 of the cemetery. As quartermaster general of the Army during the Civil War, Meigs directed the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery. A West Point graduate, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, supervising several important prewar projects in Washington, D.C. — including the Washington Aqueduct and the construction of the wings and dome of the U.S. Capitol. In May 1861, shortly after the Civil War began, Meigs was appointed to quartermaster general, charged with managing Army logistics. In this capacity, he oversaw military burials, and in May 1864 he designated part of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee’s former estate, now occupied by Union troops, as an Army cemetery. His wife, Louisa Meigs, was the first person to be buried, in 1879, in the family’s plot off of Meigs Drive; Montgomery Meigs joined her in January 1892, following a full military honors funeral at the cemetery he had helped to create.

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The Old Post Chapel is situated adjoining Section 1 of Arlington National Cemetery on Meigs Drive. Meigs Drive is named after prominent military leader Major Gen. Montgomery C. Meigs who is buried in Section 1 of the cemetery. As quartermaster general of the Army during the Civil War, Meigs directed the establishment of Arlington National Cemetery. A West Point graduate, he served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, supervising several important prewar projects in Washington, D.C. — including the Washington Aqueduct and the construction of the wings and dome of the U.S. Capitol. In May 1861, shortly after the Civil War began, Meigs was appointed to quartermaster general, charged with managing Army logistics. In this capacity, he oversaw military burials, and in May 1864 he designated part of Robert E. Lee and Mary Custis Lee’s former estate, now occupied by Union troops, as an Army cemetery. His wife, Louisa Meigs, was the first person to be buried, in 1879, in the family’s plot off of Meigs Drive; Montgomery Meigs joined her in January 1892, following a full military honors funeral at the cemetery he had helped to create.

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