Obituary

Honoring those who served

The Maine Military Funeral Honors Program is seeking to honor all those who have served.
Courtesy photo
YORK - The Maine Military Funeral Honors Program is in place and has been providing appropriate military funeral honors to Maine's veterans for two years and seeks to ensure that all veterans are interred with their final recognition.

According to the Maine Veterans Administration, Maine is losing approximately 3,800 veterans per year, a number that is not expected to decrease until the year 2030.

"We have performed nearly 1,500 Military Funeral Honors Ceremonies throughout the state of Maine since October, 2004," noted Maine Military Funeral Honors Coordinator Frank R. Norwood. "… The rendering of Military Funeral Honors for United States Armed Forces Veterans is a tribute that our veterans and their families justly deserve and in fact, are entitled to. Section 578 of the National Defense Authorization Act for fiscal year 2000 requires the Department of Defense to provide, upon request, Military Funeral Honors for eligible Veterans."

Any person - Active, National Guard or Reserve - who received an honorable discharge is eligible for Military Funeral Honors. Deceased veterans who did not receive appropriate Military Funeral Honors may also be honored by the Maine Military Funeral Honors Program.

Veterans, their families, funeral directors and citizens are encouraged to call (800) 958-5967 with any concerns or questions.