We are assembled here to pay a lasting tribute of respect to our departed comrade ( Name of Deceased Member ).
When the call of our country was heard, Comrade ( Deceased Last Name ) answered; self was forgotten in the cause of the greater good. As a brave man marched away with an abiding faith in God, his country and his flag.
The red of our country’s flag was made redder still by his heroism; the white, more stainlessly pure by the motives which impelled him; and, in the starry field of our nation’s glorious banner, the blue has been glorified by the service he gave for American ideals.
Commander: "Parade, rest."
Comrade Chaplain you will invoke the divine blessing.
Chaplain: Almighty and Merciful God! Father of us all! Amidst these monuments of
the dead we see Thy hand.
In the depth of our sorrow we realize the truth of the inspired words: "I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live."
As comrade after comrade departs we march on with the ranks grown thinner.
Help us to be faithful unto Thee and to one another.
We beseech Thee, look in mercy upon all of us here assembled and, with Thine own tenderness, console and comfort those bereaved by the hand of death.
Give them the "oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness."
Heavenly Father, bless our country with freedom, peace and righteousness, and though Thy Sovereign and Holy Spirit’s favor, may we all meet at last before Thy throne of Grace in Heaven. And to Thy Great Name shall be praise for ever and ever. Amen.
Commander: One by one, as the years roll on, we are called upon to fulfill these
sad duties of respect to our departed comrades.
The present, full of the cares that beset all nations whether engaged in war or peace, fades away as we look back on the day this comrade left his home to defend his country. Imbued by the spirit of devotion and inspired by an undying love of his land, our comrade gladly went forth and joined with comrades both young and old to preserve our heritage of freedom.
We trust that the example set by our comrade will prove a glorious beacon to the youth of our country, who may be called to uphold the honor of our flag.
As years roll on, we, too shall have finished our fight, shall be laid to rest, and our souls follow the long column to the realms above, as all-enfolding death, hour by hour, shall mark his recruits.
Comrades, let us so live that when the Keeper of the Eternal Records shall have called our names for the last time, those we have left behind may say of us, as we now say of this Comrade . "Here lies all that is mortal of a true-hearted comrade, and a fearless defender of our country and our flag."
Commander: Officers, you will now perform the last duties of your stations.
1. Junior Vise Commander, place a sprig of evergreen upon the casket:
"On behalf of ( Name of Post ) Post ( Post Number ) this tribute is symbol of our undying love for our comrade."
2. Senior Vise Commander, place white flowers upon the casket:
"This tribute is symbol of purity and may each future generation emulate the unselfish devotion to duty of the lowliest of our comrades."
3. Officer of the day, place a laurel wreath upon the casket:
"This is the last token of affection from his comrades in arms upon the casket of our departed comrade and crown his mortal dust with this symbol of victory."
4. Commander, gently holding up one corner of the regulation flag covering the casket:
"On behalf of this glorious republic, for whose integrity our comrade of the Veterans of Foreign Wars enlisted and served, we have placed upon his casket this emblem of our country, a country whose arms are always open to shelter the oppressed."
Chaplain:
Chaplain’s Address
The march of your comrade is over and he lieth down in the house appointed for all the living.
This grave reminds us of the frailty of human life and the tenure by which we hold our own. "In such an hour as ye think not, the final summons may come which no one disobeys."
It seems fitting that we should leave our comrade to rest under the arching sky, as he did in the days gone by, weary and footsore by the road side, or on the field of battle.
Our departed comrade of the Navy no longer hears the sound of waves or floats upon the bosom of the deep, no longer sails beneath peaceful skies, nor is driven before the angry storm.
May each of us , when our voyages and battles of life are over, find welcome in that region of the blest where there is no more storm-tossed sea, nor scorching battlefield.
Our comrade is in the hands of our Heavenly Father, and "God giveth His beloved sleep."
He will be laid to rest, but let us cherish his virtues and learn to imitate them, reminded by the place he fits no more, that our ranks are thinning. Let each one be so loyal to every virtue, so true to every friendship, so faithful in the remaining marches, that he will be ready to fall out and take his place in the great review hereafter: not in doubt, but with faith that the merciful Captain of our Salvation will call him to that fraternity which on earth and heaven remains unbroken.
Chaplain:
Committal
The Master saith: "Thy brother shall rise again, I am the resurrection and the life."
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust and the spirit unto the Great Spirit, that watcheth over the lives and souls of men, Amen
Chaplain:
Benediction
May the blessing and the benediction of heaven be upon us and our comrades wherever dispersed the world over. Amen
Commander: "attention.", "rifle squad",
"Salute our fallen Comrade and our Nation's Colors "
Gun Salute
Taps
The bugler sounds taps; the Post colors only, drooping full, fly over the grave.
Folding and presenting of the flag
Air Force: On behalf of the President of the United States, the Department of the Air Force, and a grateful nation, we offer this flag for the faithful and dedicated service of your loved one.
Army: This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service.
Coast Guard: On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service.
Marine Corps: On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Marine Corps, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service.
Navy: On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service.
If the next of kin has expressed a religious preference or belief, add: "God bless you and your family, and the United States of America."
Commander: "Order arms", "At ease"
"Dismissed"