We're proud to do our part in honoring our country's veterans. Our duty is to provide you and your family with professional and dignified assistance during your time of need, and we promise to support you in honoring your loved one for their dedication and selfless service.
Traditional Honors
Eligible veterans receive the folding and presenting of the American flag to the next of kin and the playing of Taps by a bugler or recording. These honors are performed by an honor guard detail that has at least two members of the Armed Forces. One member must be a representative from the branch in which the veteran served, and this member presents the flag.
Honors also can include:
- The U.S. flag draped over the casket
- A three-volley rifle salute to represent duty, honor, and country
- A final salute at the gravesite
Veteran Benefits
In addition to honoring your veteran during the service, we can help contact the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for:
- Headstones: The VA provides headstones and markers for the graves of veterans anywhere in the world and for eligible dependents of veterans buried in national, state, or military cemeteries.
- A Presidential Memorial Certificate: This certificate shows the nation's recognition of the veteran's service. It includes the veteran's name and the signature of the President.
- Memorial plots: If an eligible veteran's remains are not available for burial, the VA can provide a plot and headstone or marker in a national cemetery for memorialization. If you want to place the memorial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery, the VA will provide the headstone or marker but not the plot.
- Burial in a national cemetery: This includes the gravesite, opening and closing of the grave, a grave box, and perpetual care.
- Reimbursement of burial: For information on eligibility and the different levels of potential reimbursement, please review the Guide to VA Burial Allowances.
History of the Soldier, Sailor & Marine Fund
The Fund was established by the General Assembly of 1919 to recognize the sacrifices and heroism displayed by Connecticut's sons and daughters during "The Great War" (World War I). $2,400,000 had been allocated to recognize the contributions of returning veterans. Debate was spirited as to how the funds should be utilized so as to do the most good. The payment of individual bonuses to veterans was considered. After lengthy debate, however, the General Assembly decided that the money would be set aside in trust, with the interest, after investment of the funds, to be used for the benefit of needy veterans and their families. The legislation, Public Act 336 of the Session Laws of 1919, was the genesis of the Fund.
The legislation designated The American Legion as the administrative agency which was to have responsibility for the activities of the Soldiers' Sailors' and Marines' Fund.
In 1937, the funds were placed in the custody of the State Investment Committee. As World War II came to a close, a $15,000,000 ceiling was established for the Fund, with the additional money to be funded from a tax on cigarettes. Funding from this source continued until 1962, at which time it was eliminated. Over the years the ceiling of the Trust Fund has been increased to current levels. Growth has resulted from reinvestment of unused funds and from growth in equity.
The partnership between The American Legion and the State of Connecticut in serving Connecticut's veterans is unique in the nation and has achieved remarkable results. There have been ten Administrators of the Fund since its inception in 1919, and each has served concurrently as Department Treasurer of The American Legion. The majority of the Fund Representatives in the municipalities are volunteer members of The American Legion.
Volunteer hours make up a significant portion of the time resources necessary to keep the Fund functioning. Such efforts allow the Fund to expend more of its financial resources to benefit veterans than would otherwise be the case.
The partnership between The American Legion and The State of Connecticut is one that has addressed the pressing needs of Connecticut's veterans and alleviated suffering since 1919. The citizens, veterans and Legionnaires of Connecticut are justifiably proud of this continuing legacy.
Eligibility
Military funeral honors are free and mandated by law for eligible veterans. Eligibility is verified by the veteran’s DD-214, or discharge papers. Eligible members are:
- Military members on active duty or in the Selected Reserve.
- Former military members discharged from the Selected Reserve due to a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty.
- Former military members who served on active duty and departed with honorable conditions.
- Former military members who completed at least one term of enlistment or period of initial obligated service in the Selected Reserve and departed under honorable conditions.
Local VFWs
Near New Haven Location
Near Hartford Location
Near Bloomfield Location
Other Resources
Check out these resources for more information about honoring veterans and military funerals:
- U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Click on Veteran Services and look under the Burials & Memorials heading.
- Veterans' Funeral and Burial Benefits. Useful information from the Funeral Consumers Alliance.