Souvenir Medal
What do we need to do to make sure my grandfather gets a military funeral?
My grandfather has Alzheimer’s. He has another year to live, tops. At first he couldn’t remember what happened minutes ago, but now it’s gotten to the point he can’t remember anything at all.
He can’t remember that he fought in Korea. But my mother has all the documents that prove that he did, and a lot of his uniforms, medals, souvenirs, letters, etc. He rates a military funeral, right?
I’m told his will only covers the disposition of his assets, it says nothing about funeral arrangements. But I’m sure that if we asked him and he didn’t have Alzheimer’s, he’d say yes.
Give a copy of his DD-214 to the funeral director and he will make arrangements for a military funeral with honors.
Also, if you’d really like to really honor him go to the website below (Patriot Guard Riders). Scroll down on the left and click on STATE CAPTAINS. Find your state and send an email to the State Ride Captain and tell him/her you’d like to set up a mission for your grandpa when he passes. Give him/her your email/phone number and your local Ride Captain will contact you. This is all free. The PGR will stand for him at the funeral home for the viewing, and then for the funeral service, they will send a contingent to escort your family to the cemetery. Then like a mist, they will just fade away.
If I can help you, please feel free to email me. If you do, I can send you my ‘real’ email address.
(Proud PGR member since 4/06)
Souvenir-Medal from Cracow