AUGUSTA – The U.S. Department of Defense began an implementation plan for providing military funeral honors for eligible veterans on Jan. 1, 2000.

Federal law requires the Department of Defense to provide, upon request, military funeral honors for eligible veterans at any cemetery – private or government-operated.

“Honoring Those Who Served” is the title of the program for providing dignified military funeral honors to veterans who have defended the nation. While military honors are a tradition in the Armed Forces, the program is in response to the new law governing funeral honors for eligible veterans.

Upon the family’s request, the law requires that every eligible veteran receive a military funeral honors ceremony to include folding and presenting the United States burial flag and the playing of “Taps.”

The law defines a military funeral honors detail as consisting of two or more uniformed military persons, with at least one being a member of the veteran’s parent service of the Armed Forces.

The program calls for funeral home directors to request military honors on behalf of the veteran’s family. Veterans organizations are also authorized to assist in the augmentation of the detail.

Veteran volunteers of the Kennebec County Veterans Honor Guard have assisted in hundreds of the funerals. Not all veterans or their families are aware of the federal law. As soon as the veteran dies, the one making funeral arrangements should notify the funeral director that they want the honor detail.

The Kennebec County Veterans Honor Guard will provide a commander to start the free program, a chaplain, a short presentation by the commander, a firing squad and a live bugler. The guard has been certified by the Department of Defense.

The guard will also go to any town in Kennebec County if available. Anyone who wants to coordinate a funeral with the guard should inform the funeral home. Honor Guard Commander George Bean can be reached at 547-3505 for more information.