Commander's Message, February 2025

Greetings fellow Legionnaires and Legion Family Members,

The rendering of military funeral honors is one very special and moving way that we demonstrate the nation’s gratitude to those who have faithfully defended and served our country, whether it had been during peace or war. It is the final tribute provided to the veteran by his comrades, his brothers- and sisters-in-arms. 

By law, and when requested, an honor guard detail for the burial of an eligible veteran consisting of at least two members of the armed forces will be dispatched to the funeral. At least one member of the detail will be a representative of the veteran’s service branch. 

The honor guard detail will, at a minimum, perform a ceremony that includes the playing of Taps and the folding and presenting of the burial American Flag to the next of kin, or another designated individual. Taps will be played by a live bugler when available, or by a ceremonial electronic bugle. 

A veteran’s service organization, VSO, (such as The American Legion, VFW, DAV, etc.) may augment the military detail by providing additional elements, such as a rifle volley or pallbearers. Families of eligible veterans may request military funeral honors through their funeral director. The funeral director will contact the appropriate military service to arrange for the funeral honors detail. 

The military service will request that the family provide a copy of the service member’s DD Form 214 (Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty), or other supporting discharge information, in order to verify eligibility. Please note that a deceased veteran does not need to be a member of Post 3 or any other VSO to receive a military funeral. It is important if you desire a military funeral, you or your family will need to locate your DD214, or other documents verifying your eligibility. 

It is also important that the person planning your funeral know the location of those documents. If you can’t locate the appropriate documents, you may request a copy by contacting the Military National Personnel Record Center, (www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/standard-form-180.html), or your local VA office for assistance.

You can also contact your County Veterans Service Officer if you have previously filed a copy of your discharge with the county. They may have your discharge on file depending on when and where you entered or separated from service.  

You can use the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs online DD-214 request form to see if they can locate a copy to provide to you by visiting this link: 

https://nebraska.us20.listmanage.com/track/click?u=7ed59c632774bcfb0ff3e470a&id=e261f348e9&e=c29001735a 

Who is eligible for military funeral honors? Military members on active duty and military retirees, veterans who were separated under conditions other than dishonorable, and members and former members of the selected reserve. 

If you have any more questions, you may contact Gerry Wolf by email, Gerrywolf@aol.com, or phone 402-417-8230, or call the Post 3 office, 402-466-3958. We will be glad to help. 

Again, thank you for your service to our country. You have earned the respect and honor from your nation. 

February for Post 3 means that in addition to our regular meeting on February 11th, the meeting will also serve as our District 15 Convention. Several Department officers and candidates for office are expected to attend. Please try to make it a priority to attend. Not all Legionnaires attend state conventions, and even fewer attend national conventions. 

The district meeting is typically the largest American Legion meeting the average member ever attends. That meeting will begin 30 minutes early at 6:30 PM. I hope to see you there. As usual, the Elks will have a hamburger dinner available for purchase before the meeting. 

As always, keep our veterans in your thoughts and prayers, particularly those who may be in need. Keep our active-duty service men and women, wherever they may be dispersed, in your thoughts and prayers as well. 

For God and Country, 

Bruce Gubser 

Post 3 Commander