No military honors for EP's death

[TCBGIRL]

Don't you guys wonder why was not Elvis given military honors in his funeral?
After all he was in the army,he had a close relationship with the police,he was given an honorary plaque from DEA by Nixon.He loved America and was an icon.He was well known by the entired worl..so,why not at least have his
casquet covered with the American flag?You wonder?I do.I think he diserve it
Just wondery

[Getlo]

Elvis was not eligible for a military honours funeral.

These are reserved for anyone who dies on active duty, honourably discharged veterans, and military retirees. Elvis did not fit any of these categories.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theor...eralhonors.htm

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_funeral

If every soldier who ever served was given a military funeral, there'd be no soldiers left to actually be in the military every day. They'd be too busy firing off guns at the services.

[goodelvisgirl]

yup getlo thats the reason why i think his funeral was fine the way it was it was a state funeral if i remember right the police lined the stree and saluted as he went by so i think thats just fine

[Sonny]

His funeral was one of world class to be honest, how awful it was, it was a true tribute to the great man!

After Elvis, a lot of famous people had that last goodbye, copied almost from that dreadful day in 1977.

[TCBGIRL]

It was a dumb question.My apologies.I was watching a movie with Marc Anthony who plays the role of a famous hispanic singer and at the end the guy dies of aids and his coffin was covered with the american flag.Elvis being such a big celebrate and an American icon made me wonder.And yes I recall the Memphis police honoring him as the hearse pass by(What a sad day:

[Tony Trout]

yup getlo thats the reason why i think his funeral was fine the way it was it was a state funeral if i remember right the police lined the street and saluted as he went by so i think thats just fine

Elvis's funeral was not a state funeral in the true sense of the word - not in any way. Yes, it was huge (at least the procession itself was) but it was not a true state funeral. The funeral itself (as it should have been, IMO) was a very private affair.

State Funeral

Elvis was not eligible for a military honours funeral.

These are reserved for anyone who dies on active duty, honourably discharged veterans, and military retirees. Elvis did not fit any of these categories.

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theor...eralhonors.htm

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_funeral

If every soldier who ever served was given a military funeral, there'd be no soldiers left to actually be in the military every day. They'd be too busy firing off guns at the services.

Correct, Getlo. Plus, Vernon declined having the U.S. flag cover Elvis's casket because they wouldn't be able to place the blanket of red roses atop the casket if they had placed the flag there.

[KPM]

Elvis was not eligible for a military honours funeral.

These are reserved for anyone who dies on active duty, honourably discharged veterans, and military retirees. Elvis did not fit any of these categories.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/theor...eralhonors.htm

See also http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Military_funeral

If every soldier who ever served was given a military funeral, there'd be no soldiers left to actually be in the military every day. They'd be too busy firing off guns at the services.

According to the info you gave Elvis was eligible for this honor.
Elvis was "honorably discharged" in 1960 therefore a veteren- so he could have had a military honor guard present if the family requested it. They obviously did not.
On a more personal testiment to this, my father in law died in 1996, was an honorably discharged veteren and my mother in law was informed at the funeral home that as a veteren he did qualify for this honor-she said no.
She did contact the Army about a military headstone which was was put on the grave-beside the large one that she and he already had in place.

[KPM]

I got this info from the Wikipedia link:
Generally, the law allows for military funeral benefits for all veterans who were discharged under circumstances "other than dishonorable." Funeral directors will require the veteran's DD Form 214 to establish eligibility.

Those who are eligible for U.S. military funeral honors include:
Former U.S. Presidents
Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable.
Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under conditions other than dishonorable. Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
U.S. military funerals include all or some of the following depending on status of deceased (active, retired, veteran, rank/occupation)

The service of a military chaplain.
An honor guard, who may either serve as ceremonial guards over the remains of the deceased or act as pallbearers.
The coffin is sometimes transported by way of a horse-drawn caisson. For funerals of former presidents and officers of O-6 rank and above, a riderless horse, symbolizing a fallen leader, usually accompanies the caisson. But for many military funerals the casket is simply brought in a hearse. The coffin is usually draped in a U.S. flag as a pall.
A 3-volley salute is fired for most branches of the military. For the Navy, a cannon will be fired, a practice which originated in the British Royal Navy. When a cannon was fired, it partially disarmed the ship, therefore firing the cannon represents trust and respect. A gun salute is given to those eligible (e.g., general officers, presidents, other high-ranking officials.)
"Taps" is played on the bugle or trumpet, at a distance (30-50 yards) from the grave site. During this time the “Final Salute” is given. (A shortage of qualified buglers has led to the use of prerecorded versions of the song being used. The group Bugles Across America[1] is attempting to combat this practice.)
The flag is folded and is then presented to next of kin, "As a representative of the United States Army, it is my high privilege to present you this flag. Let it be a symbol of the grateful appreciation this nation feels for the distinguished service rendered to our country and our flag by your loved one." (Generally, the flag is given to the next-of-kin as a keepsake after its use during the funeral service. When there is no next-of-kin, the flag is presented to a friend making a request for it).
( The flag for someone who dies during active duty is provided by that individual's branch of service. The U.S. Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) provides a U.S. flag at no cost, to drape the casket or accompany the urn of a deceased veteran who served honorably in the U.S. armed forces.)

[Getlo]

[B]Elvis was "honorably discharged" in 1960 therefore a veteran.

Elvis was not a veteran. Veteran refers to someone who fought in an actual conflict, which Elvis did not.

Elvis was an honourably discharged soldier.

[KPM]

Elvis was not a veteran. Veteran refers to someone who fought in an actual conflict, which Elvis did not.

Elvis was an honourably discharged soldier.

To me this is a matter of perception and definitions. I agree and disagree
My brother in law served 6 years in the US Navy-he is a Veteran of the US Navy-not a combat veteran-he did not fight in any conflict-but he is still considered a veteran in the United States of America. I would never dare tell him he was not. We do not keep persons who served, but did not see action, from marching in the Veterans Day parades- because that is not how the people of the US see it.
I can tell you that perhaps in other countries there is a huge difference but in the US any person who served is treated as if they did see combat. Mainly because no serviceman declares war-but as long as they are in the military they can be sent into combat in a moments notice.

But back to the original question-Elvis could have had a military honor guard. He was drafted, he completed his one term of active duty and he was honourably discharged which gave him that right to the military option in his funeral if the family desired or if he had made a specific request for it before he died. He did not need to have seen combat in order to qualify.
Those who are eligible for U.S. military funeral honors include:
Former U.S. Presidents
Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
[B]Former military members who served on active duty and departed under conditions other than dishonorable. ..........................

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/benef...etbenefits.htm


What is a "veteran?" One would think that would be an easy question to answer. In the millions of laws passed over two centuries by Congress, you would think that at least one of them would define the term "military veteran."

Most dictionaries define "veteran" as (1) A person who has served in the armed forces, or (2) An old soldier who has seen long service.

Using the dictionary definition, one would be a military veteran with just one day of military service, even with a dishonorable discharge.

In actuality, there is no standardized legal definition of "military veteran" in the United States. Whether or not one is considered a "veteran" by the federal government depends entirely upon which veteran program or benefit one is applying for.

[ehollier]

For the record, I would like to answer this question with some authority as I am presently reading The Army Officer's Guide that my husband lives by. First of all, Elvis WAS, without a doubt, a veteran. He was drafted and he served his country, albeit, during a non-combat status, as the United States was not actively at war with another country for 2 full years.

However (and this is the tricky part), not all veterans are entitled to the same benefits as some others. Without question, ALL U.S. veterans are entitled to a flag for the funeral, but not all veterans are entitled to the procession and the gun salute (not everyone gets 21 guns, either!)-- less and except 1. US President or other federal representative deemed of the appropriate by the US Army; 2. Retired Officers with a rank of Brigader General/Admiral or higher; 3. Any soldier, regardless of rank, that has served in combat; and 4. Any soldier, regardless of rank, killed in combat.

Elvis did not met any of these requirements; therefore, he was not entitled to anything but a U.S. flag on his coffin.

[KPM]

For the record, I would like to answer this question with some authority as I am presently reading The Army Officer's Guide that my husband lives by. First of all, Elvis WAS, without a doubt, a veteran. He was drafted and he served his country, albeit, during a non-combat status, as the United States was not actively at war with another country for 2 full years.

However (and this is the tricky part), not all veterans are entitled to the same benefits as some others. Without question, ALL U.S. veterans are entitled to a flag for the funeral, but not all veterans are entitled to the procession and the gun salute (not everyone gets 21 guns, either!)-- less and except 1. US President or other federal representative deemed of the appropriate by the US Army; 2. Retired Officers with a rank of Brigader General/Admiral or higher; 3. Any soldier, regardless of rank, that has served in combat; and 4. Any soldier, regardless of rank, killed in combat.

Elvis did not met any of these requirements; therefore, he was not entitled to anything but a U.S. flag on his coffin.

I bow to someone who has an obvious grasp of the situation (The Army Officers Guide) Thanks for explaining it. I looked at several conflicting answers on the web and it was hard to figure out which one was absolutely correct. This is pretty definitive on several levels

[CRITTERGITTER]

TCBgirl, it was not a stupid question. I have friends that were in the military and fans discuss this and not have a definitive answer.

[TCBGIRL]

Thank you for the right information

[waymore44]

He definitely was entitiled to the flag on his coffin.

My dad got a flag because he served honorably in the National Guard for 8yrs I believe. The Sons Of Confederate Veterans: an organization my dad was a part of came out in their re-enactment gear and did the gun salute.

I do find it odd that EP didn't at least have the flag. He was very patriotic so it doesn't really make much sense. It kind of lends a little credibility to the conspiracy theory folks who say he faked his death. Basically he would never defraud the US government and ulitmately the weirdest thing is that the life insurance was never claimed.

THAT IS STRANGE. That makes about as much sense as Obama not wanting to show his actual paper birth certificate.

[utmom2008]

THAT IS STRANGE. That makes about as much sense as Obama not wanting to show his actual paper birth certificate.

Uh Oh! Here we go...

[KPM]

Uh Oh! Here we go...

No Comment!

[1100ccRider]

Elvis was not a veteran. Veteran refers to someone who fought in an actual conflict, which Elvis did not.

Elvis was an honourably discharged soldier.

I beg to differ:

"Been to Vietnam
been a-fightin' in the war..."

I rest my case.

[ehollier]

He definitely was entitiled to the flag on his coffin.

My dad got a flag because he served honorably in the National Guard for 8yrs I believe. The Sons Of Confederate Veterans: an organization my dad was a part of came out in their re-enactment gear and did the gun salute.

I do find it odd that EP didn't at least have the flag. He was very patriotic so it doesn't really make much sense. It kind of lends a little credibility to the conspiracy theory folks who say he faked his death. Basically he would never defraud the US government and ulitmately the weirdest thing is that the life insurance was never claimed.

THAT IS STRANGE. That makes about as much sense as Obama not wanting to show his actual paper birth certificate.

The flag issue is purely personal. He fulfilled his time and once he was done, that part of his career was over. Maybe he would have felt differently if he had fought in battle, but he was a veteran nonetheless and was entitled.

[shelley.m.]

How about "other" stars that service in the military? People like James Stwart,Tyrone Power,Henry Fonda.Did these stars have full military funerals too? I know we talking about Elvis Presley here but what I'm saying is that the names mentioned above,where high ranking officers during World War 2.