CAP Funeral Honor Guard

[DBlair]

I noticed in the current Florida Wing newsletter that a Senior Member who passed away had an AF Honor Guard, complete with American flag (I'm guessing it was draped over the casket, but the photo just shows them folding it).

The article mentions the member joining CAP as a Cadet and various CAP roles, but does not mention any military service. I always thought that getting a flag draped over the casket was reserved for members of the military and politicians.

As such, I was curious... Do all CAP members get to have a flag draped over their casket with an AF Honor Guard, or was this a special case?

[Maj Ballard]

From the article:

Captain Russell's service, both as a CAP Officer and United States Air Force veteran, exemplified the standards of a CAP member who was passionate about service to others, his love of country, and the field of aviation.

(emphasis mine)

[DBlair]

Thanks for the clarification- I seem to have missed that part when I originally read it.

[RRLE]

I always thought that getting a flag draped over the casket was reserved for members of the military and politicians.


The US Flag Code, 4 USC Chapter 1, does not restrict flag draped caskets to any group(s) of people. Anyone can have a flag draped casket. The only mention of caskets in the Flag Code states how the casket should be draped.

4 USC 7 Position and manner of display

(n) When the flag is used to cover a casket, it should be so placed that the union is at the head and over the left shoulder. The flag should not be lowered into the grave or allowed to touch the ground.

[isuhawkeye]

I have known a few fire fighters who had flag draped coffins with out military service. 

Not saying its right, just an observation

[PHall]

I have known a few fire fighters who had flag draped coffins with out military service. 

Not saying its right, just an observation

And why would you think it was wrong?

[isuhawkeye]

I am not passing any judgement.  I know how opinionated this board can be

[USADOD]

I believe anyone who commits to the defense of their country and its freedom should have this as an option. Regardless of political, social status and position.

[PHall]

I am not passing any judgement.  I know how opinionated this board can be

You're not answering the question. Why would you think a Fire Fighter or Police Officer does not rate a flag on their casket?

[BTCS1*]

I think that I fire fighter or police officer more than deserves the honor of having a flag draped coffin, thay risk their lives to keep us safe, similar to, but in different ways than the military. Did the fifrefighters and police offiers who died on 9/11 not protect our country? I think they did and that we should always remember and honor them for it.

[♠SARKID♠]

I am not passing any judgement.  I know how opinionated this board can be

You're not answering the question. Why would you think a Fire Fighter or Police Officer does not rate a flag on their casket?

He doesn't think that.  But other people on the board might; he's neutralizing his position.

[Gunner C]

I am not passing any judgement.  I know how opinionated this board can be

You're not answering the question. Why would you think a Fire Fighter or Police Officer does not rate a flag on their casket?

Why would they not have the state or city flag?  That's the government they served.  I think that would be more appropriate.

[BuckeyeDEJ]

I am not passing any judgement.  I know how opinionated this board can be

You're not answering the question. Why would you think a Fire Fighter or Police Officer does not rate a flag on their casket?

Why would they not have the state or city flag?  That's the government they served.  I think that would be more appropriate.

Good luck draping the Ohio burgee on a casket lid.

[Spike]

Why would they not have the state or city flag?  That's the government they served.  I think that would be more appropriate.

My thoughts exactly.  150 years ago, it was more common for a state flag than the National Flag.  We lost the idea that we are citizens of our states first, The United States second.  How much we have lost! 

[JayT]

I am not passing any judgement.  I know how opinionated this board can be

You're not answering the question. Why would you think a Fire Fighter or Police Officer does not rate a flag on their casket?

Why would they not have the state or city flag?  That's the government they served.  I think that would be more appropriate.

So National Guardsmen shouldn't get an American flag?

A soldier who spends ninety percent of his/her career driving a desk get's a flag, but a guy who run's into burning buildings every day doesn't?

Many, many members of this forum need to get over themselves, and get a more firm plant into the rest of reality.

[Spike]

So National Guardsmen shouldn't get an American flag?

A soldier who spends ninety percent of his/her career driving a desk get's a flag, but a guy who run's into burning buildings every day doesn't?

Many, many members of this forum need to get over themselves, and get a more firm plant into the rest of reality.

The whole National Guard issue can be debated on and on.  My feeling is if the said NG member never was federalized, never served on AD except for training.....then yes, he or she should get a State Flag.  In fact I am a firm believer that if you are not on Active Duty or ordered to Active Duty then you should be wearing the name of your state in place of "US Army" tapes.

A Soldier who is on AD sitting behind a desk for 90 percent of their career should be honored with an American Flag, because they served the United States as a whole.  The line between State and Federal has been blurred real bad.

[BrandonKea]

So National Guardsmen shouldn't get an American flag?

A soldier who spends ninety percent of his/her career driving a desk get's a flag, but a guy who run's into burning buildings every day doesn't?

Many, many members of this forum need to get over themselves, and get a more firm plant into the rest of reality.

The whole National Guard issue can be debated on and on.  My feeling is if the said NG member never was federalized, never served on AD except for training.....then yes, he or she should get a State Flag.  In fact I am a firm believer that if you are not on Active Duty or ordered to Active Duty then you should be wearing the name of your state in place of "US Army" tapes.

A Soldier who is on AD sitting behind a desk for 90 percent of their career should be honored with an American Flag, because they served the United States as a whole.  The line between State and Federal has been blurred real bad.

I fail to see how a citizen of the US doesn't rate a US flag, regardless of their military service or lackthereof. There's a lot more ways to serve your country than just serving in the military.

One could make the argument that if you pay taxes, you should get a flag.

[PHall]

So National Guardsmen shouldn't get an American flag?

A soldier who spends ninety percent of his/her career driving a desk get's a flag, but a guy who run's into burning buildings every day doesn't?

Many, many members of this forum need to get over themselves, and get a more firm plant into the rest of reality.

The whole National Guard issue can be debated on and on.  My feeling is if the said NG member never was federalized, never served on AD except for training.....then yes, he or she should get a State Flag.  In fact I am a firm believer that if you are not on Active Duty or ordered to Active Duty then you should be wearing the name of your state in place of "US Army" tapes.

A Soldier who is on AD sitting behind a desk for 90 percent of their career should be honored with an American Flag, because they served the United States as a whole.  The line between State and Federal has been blurred real bad.

Funny, the oath I swore when I enlisted/reenlisted in the Guard said that I would support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of California.
Sounds like I was serving the United States to me. And it sure wasn't the Governor that sent me overseas either!

[Capt Rivera]

Why would they not have the state or city flag?  That's the government they served.  I think that would be more appropriate.

Well I've never been deployed but I have loaded live munitions on fighter jets in the US. Those same jets flew some little unimportant mission called Operation Noble Eagle...

Go look it up.

Maybe my old units F-16s should have stayed in NJ... That would have been good right? Maybe my other old units F-16 should have stayed in ND...   What do you think?

[Gunner C]

So National Guardsmen shouldn't get an American flag?

A soldier who spends ninety percent of his/her career driving a desk get's a flag, but a guy who run's into burning buildings every day doesn't?

Many, many members of this forum need to get over themselves, and get a more firm plant into the rest of reality.

The whole National Guard issue can be debated on and on.  My feeling is if the said NG member never was federalized, never served on AD except for training.....then yes, he or she should get a State Flag.  In fact I am a firm believer that if you are not on Active Duty or ordered to Active Duty then you should be wearing the name of your state in place of "US Army" tapes.

A Soldier who is on AD sitting behind a desk for 90 percent of their career should be honored with an American Flag, because they served the United States as a whole.  The line between State and Federal has been blurred real bad.

Disagree - a guardsman is also a reserve of the United States.  They get an American Flag.