A US Army caisson team carries the remains of an honored veteran through the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery during a full honors funeral service as captured by the @arlingtonmedia team. – Arlington Media

A US Army caisson team carries the remains of an honored veteran through the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery during a full honors funeral service as captured by the @arlingtonmedia team.

Post author:Clifford Crittenden
Post published:January 24, 2022
Post category:Uncategorized

The Old Post Chapel at Arlington National Cemetery is filled with stained glass depicting military and religious scenes. One of the Old Post Chapel’s most beautiful features is its stained glass windows, installed in the summer of 1972 – designed and created by Willet Studios of Philadelphia. The stained glass windows on the south side of the chapel honor the branches of the armed forces and include scenes from the Old Testament. A small plaque is placed below each window with an inscription naming the organization that donated the window and the branch of military service being honored. The Army Service window portrays Joshua at the battle of Jericho. The plaque reads, “This window is donated by the members of the Class of 1940, United States Military Academy, in tribute to all those now and in the future who have or will have served their country in the United States Army.” The Marine Corps Service window shows Gideon and his army. The plaque reads, “This window is donated by the United States Marine Corps and dedicated to the memory of all Marines who have died since the founding of the Corps on 19 November 1775.” The Navy Service window depicts Solomon at the building of the Temple at Jerusalem. The plaque reads, “This window is donated by the members of the United States Naval Academy Class of 1940 in tribute to all who have served in the United States Navy.” The Air Force Service window illustrates the prophet Isaiah and the quotation, “they shall rise up with wings as an eagle.” The plaque reads, “This window was contributed by the chapel congregations of the Air Force, Protestant, Catholic and Jewish, in memory of all airmen, male and female, officer and enlisted, who gave their lives in the service of their country.” The Coast Guard Service window portrays Noah’s Ark. The plaque reads, “This window is donated by the United States Coast Guard Academy Alumni Association in memory of all those who willingly, bravely and faithfully served their country and perpetuated the proud traditions of our Nation’s smallest Armed Force.”

December 31, 2020

¹ DEPENDENT SERVICES
When a spouse or other dependent of a current or former member of the Armed Forces is buried at Arlington, the military service in which the primary party served will provide:

A chaplain
A casket team (body bearers / pall bearers)

No other military funeral honors will be rendered unless the spouse also served in the military.

² STANDARD HONORS SERVICES
Enlisted service members, WO-1 through CW-3, and O-1 through O-3, interred/inurned at Arlington National Cemetery will receive honors provided by the decedent’s branch of service. These honors include:

A chaplain
A casket team (body bearers / pall bearers)
A firing party
A bugler

³ FULL HONORS SERVICES
In addition to the standard military funeral honors, some Commissioned and Warrant officers and senior non-Commissioned Officer with a pay grade of E-9, CW-4 and CW-5, and O-4 and above:

ARMY: Sergeant Major (SGM), Command Sergeant Major (CSM), Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA),
NAVY & COAST GUARD: Master Chief Petty Officer (MCPO), Fleet/Command Master Chief Petty Officer, Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON), or Coast Guard (MCPOCG),
MARINES: Master Gunnery Sergeant (MGySgt), Sergeant Major (SgtMaj), Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps (SgtMajMC),
AIR FORCE: Chief Master Sergeant (CMSgt), First Sergeant, Command Chief Master Sergeant, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force (CMSAF),

are eligible for full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery including:

A chaplain
A casket team (body bearers / pall bearers)
A firing party
A bugler
A military band
An escort platoon (size varies according to the rank of the deceased)

Additionally, those eligible for full military funeral honors at Arlington National Cemetery may use the caisson (UNAVAILABLE until June 2024), if available. Officers in the rank of colonel and above in the Army and the Marine Corps may be provided a caparisoned (riderless) horse, if available. General/flag officers may receive a cannon salute (17 guns for a four-star general, 15 for a three-star, 13 for a two-star, 11 for a one-star), if available.