Die with your boots on...

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 03:39:41 -0500

Am I the only one that wants to be buried in my military uniform?

I'm due to retire in two years, and I am going to be perfectly clear that if I'm not cremated, I am to be dressed in my military uniform at my funeral...is that weird?
Do you have any militaristic funeral wishes? Like playing of taps, or hoping to buried at Arlington Cemetary....

Response by SPC Charles Griffith made Jan 27 at 2015 4:00 AM

SPC Charles Griffith — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 04:00:56 -0500

My only wish is to have Military Honors SO folks will remember that we (the U.S. Armed Forces) served with Honor. Everything else I leave to my berrevied as it is my opinion that the Funeral is for their benefit not mine hell I'll be dead! ! !

Response by PV2 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 9:00 AM

PV2 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:00:26 -0500

I would like military honors. Mine is to be cremated and have some of my ashes strewn over the Blue Ridge Mountains and another personal location. I also want people to laugh and not cry. I don't want to be remembered with sadness, but with a smile or laugh that I lived life to the fullest and enjoyed the life I lived.

Response by SGT Jim Z. made Jan 27 at 2015 9:03 AM

SGT Jim Z. — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:03:50 -0500

I used to say I wanted to be buried in an old pine box much like the old west. Personally as long as there is taps and a flag I could be naked for all I care.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Jan 27 at 2015 9:24 AM

Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:24:23 -0500

Funeral pyre. I'm a cremation guy. My wife & son can decide if they would like me interred at a military cemetery or not. That's more for them, than for me.

Response by CPT Chris Loomis made Jan 27 at 2015 9:27 AM

CPT Chris Loomis — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:27:39 -0500

My desire is also to be buried in my class As with military honors.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 9:40 AM

PO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:40:40 -0500

I've told my wife that my wishes are to be cremated then buried at sea. I used to watch those ceremonies on my ship and have always wanted the same for myself.

She has however expressed that this plan would leave her alone when her time comes, so I don't know maybe this plan will change.

Response by CPT Richard Riley made Jan 27 at 2015 9:54 AM

CPT Richard Riley — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:54:50 -0500

I'm sure the majority will not agree with my choice, but when I reach that point in my life and I'm certifiably gone from this world, there is a crematorium in the county that will perform that service for about $400 & put the remains in a small cardboard box. My wife and family do not need to spend a dime on afterlife funeral expenses, to me it is wasted money. If they choose to gather at that time, I've asked (suggested strongly) that they celebrate their life with me & not morn the fact I'm not physically here with them. The only documentation they are required to have is a death certificate which is covered in the $400 I've pre-paid, so they have complied with all the laws and regulations associated with death. There is nothing else they need to do. Pronounced, toasted, and boxed.

Regarding my military service, they will have years of stories and many mementos along with my awards, ribbons, and citations to reflect on. There is no need for flashy, they should all have sufficient memories to carry on that torch.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 9:56 AM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 09:56:09 -0500

If I had the choice...

On Sept. 29, Station Atlantic City fulfilled the final wishes of service veteran Andrew Haines, a New Jersey resident who died in late August at age 89. Haines spent more than a decade planning his own Norse-style send-off — a self-built funeral ship to carry his cremated ashes, which was then to be ignited with a flare.

http://archive.navytimes.com/article/20141002/NEWS03/310020066/Coast-Guard-gives-WWII-vet-Viking-funeral-sea

Response by SSG Robin Rushlo made Jan 27 at 2015 10:45 AM

SSG Robin Rushlo — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 10:45:40 -0500

Full military honors. Take cremated remains, place in Air Burst arty shell and boom ashes all over a BCT POST.

Now the real reason why, that way all the newbies can get their head up my ASH. LOL

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 2:18 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:18:19 -0500

I haven't decided if I want to be buried in my uniform yet. However, I do wish for a live playing of Amazing Grace on the bagpipes immediately followed by Taps. And while these are being played, I want everyone to have a beer in hand provided by the keg that I want at my graveside.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 2:18 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 14:18:34 -0500

Fort Leonard Wood national cemetery (you can take the boy out of the Ozarks but...). I better be in my ASUs, or the equivalent, or someone has something to answer to...

Response by SSG Jim Foreman made Jan 27 at 2015 5:19 PM

SSG Jim Foreman — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 17:19:07 -0500

I like the idea of being buried in uniform but it really doesn't matter. Taps would be cool, I think it lets everyone know a war fighter has passed. But then they all have to take a shot of Jack....

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Jan 27 at 2015 6:17 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 18:17:25 -0500

This subject has come up before and it made me think. Being 100% disabled gets me free life insurance and I had an idea to keep the funeral from being depressing.....(

#1. Cremation
#2. Divide the ashes equally
#3. Allow 30 days for every participant to find their ideal location to scatter the ashes.
#4. Meet back at a VFW or American Legion and explain where I was released and why that location was chosen.
#5. My wife judges the answers and selects the winner.
#6. $50,000 goes to the veterans charity of your choosing (unless we are strapped for cash and then we'll make it $50 and a bottle of 18 yr old Jameson to be passed out for shooters....lol
#7. Remember to pour me out a shot of my favorite hooch (since I quit drinking).

Response by MSgt Tim Craig made Jan 27 at 2015 9:19 PM

MSgt Tim Craig — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:19:24 -0500

Definitively... with Uniform and boots on :)

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 9:22 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:22:13 -0500

I just want Airborne wings on my head stone and my Steelers Terrible Towel in my hand in the casket.

Response by Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP made Jan 27 at 2015 9:33 PM

Lt Col Fred Marheine, PMP — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:33:22 -0500

When my father passed away and was immediately cremated per his wishes, my mother (a 50+ year resident alien from the UK) was the one who was adamant that we play Taps at the memorial service. I attended in dress blues and freely admit that standing there at attention amid family and friends and two other service members, the sound of a bugle blowing over the utter silence of a crowded room was one of the proudest and saddest days of my life.

I'm also going cremation, so the uniform is machts nichts - but I will ask for Taps and the presentation of a folded flag. It's who I am...

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 27 at 2015 9:43 PM

LTC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 27 Jan 2015 21:43:49 -0500

SSG(P) Private RallyPoint Member I want full military honors at my funeral with the flag over my coffin as I am in my ASUs. It is a matter of pride and honor.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Jan 28 at 2015 8:44 AM

MSG Scott McBride — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 08:44:36 -0500

Do what you want brother! You have earned it!

Response by CSM Johnny Baldwin made Jan 28 at 2015 6:21 PM

CSM Johnny Baldwin — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:21:23 -0500

Giving my body to science. There are many positive effects to doing this. Hopefully scientists will be able to determine that an abundant supply of good single malt whiskey and quality beer makes my liver happy. Saves money because the university that cuts me up and dissects me will bear the final cost of my cremation and the money that is saved can be used to buy all my mates a shot of good whiskey. If I'm lucky they will spend a few hours telling outrageous war stories and enjoy being alive. Currahee!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 28 at 2015 6:53 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 18:53:04 -0500

I'm good with the military funeral and service and all, but I will not be buried. I will be cremated.
As far as my uniform goes; If there is a service with a viewing and all, yes I would like to be dressed in it, but i would like the uniform to remain with my family, something for my kids to have years down the road if they so choose. But yea, by no means to I want to be put in a box, that will take hundreds of years to degrade, then into a concrete box and six feet underground; just for my body to sit there and rot.... nah bro, i'm good. Just my opinion.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Jan 29 at 2015 5:54 PM

MSG Brad Sand — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 17:54:16 -0500

No it is not weird. I want a viking burial...and I guess that would include my uniform burning along with the longship? I am already working on the chainmail.

Response by SPC David S. made Jan 29 at 2015 9:35 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:35:45 -0500

I see nothing wrong with it. The rendering of Military Funeral Honors is just as much part of your military heritage as your military service.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made Jan 29 at 2015 9:44 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Thu, 29 Jan 2015 21:44:17 -0500

"Die with my boots on..." Now there's an expression I haven't heard in the past few decades. Where did you find it hidden among the dust bins of my memory? An old western, hoss opera, oater, cowboy and Indian movie.

Personally, I'm for cremation. If God can resurrect the dead from the bellies of worms, I'm sure he can do the same from the ashes. I just have no interest in adding to the wealth of the merchants of death.

Military honors? I love taps. It moves me to tears everytime I hear it. So, if anyone wants to play them while I'm turning on the spit, go for it. In fact, here's the version I prefer...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WRoWPhLU2Q

After this video plays there is a followup providing the history of Taps

Girl Playing Military Tribute

A poignant and emotional rendition by a young girl.

Response by Sgt Michael Selbach made Feb 5 at 2015 1:14 AM

Sgt Michael Selbach — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 01:14:14 -0500

dead don't care... My wife is also a Marine so ask her

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Mar 14 at 2015 12:27 AM

CPT Aaron Kletzing — Sat, 14 Mar 2015 00:27:58 -0400

I would like to have military funeral honors when it is my time to go.