Question on eligibility for military funerals
I have a question regarding whether someone is eligible for a military funeral.
Let's call the person "James."
James served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged after service. He died yesterday in a shootout with drug dealers. (He had been in the house when it was raided by gangsters)
Police found he was a drug dealer and that he may have murdered someone prior to this event.
So basically, James is now accused of murder and the distribution of drugs. But this is all found out right after he died.
Would James still be eligible for a military funeral because he served in Vietnam? Or would he be eligible for any sort of funeral (even if his body is withheld by the police/FBI?)
Your replies are appreciated.
Let's call the person "James."
James served in Vietnam and was honorably discharged after service. He died yesterday in a shootout with drug dealers. (He had been in the house when it was raided by gangsters)
Police found he was a drug dealer and that he may have murdered someone prior to this event.
So basically, James is now accused of murder and the distribution of drugs. But this is all found out right after he died.
Would James still be eligible for a military funeral because he served in Vietnam? Or would he be eligible for any sort of funeral (even if his body is withheld by the police/FBI?)
Your replies are appreciated.
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Contact the VFW, they would have the info you are seeking as far as death benifits and such. 0 -
He can't be charged with any crimes after he is dead. He obviously could not cooperate in his defense. 0 -
I knew a guy who served during, but not in, Vietnam, he was one of the town drunks. He had been in jail/prison many times. He died of an apparent overdose which the coroner ruled as heart failure to save his mother embarrassment.
He received military honors and a GI grave marker.
If "James" was honorably dischaged he earned a military send off regardless of later events.0 -
git_r_done: Thx, I'll try that.
gruntled: I know he can't be charged. I'm saying there was evidence strongly linking him to murder and drug distribution.
HenryOReilly: I wonder if that would apply here for this is a major offense discovered at his time of death.0 -
Dwight H. Johnson (Detroit, Mich) was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1968. Tragically he was killed while robbing a liquor store in 1971.
He is buried in Section 31 of Arlington National Cemetery.0 -
http://www.cem.va.gov/
Neal
Henry makes a good point. The military may provide an honor guard; they may permit burial in a military cemetery; they may pay a burial benefit to partially offset the cost of burial. That's about it.0 -
iceracerx: Do you know if he had a standard military funeral? And was it known before the funeral that the gun he used to rob the store was unloaded? 0 -
quote:Originally posted by ggg
iceracerx: Do you know if he had a standard military funeral? And was it known before the funeral that the gun he used to rob the store was unloaded?
I am not aware of the military providing funeral services per se. What happens is that military honors are accorded the veteran or service member at their funeral.
btw this will be locked or moved soon. It's not really the right forum.
edit = I asked a very knowledgable veteran at the VET-2-VET meeting today. He agreed with me that there's no reason "James" should not receive military honors.0 -
Thanks for the help, everyone. If anyone else has a comment, feel free to reply as well. 0
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