Bill aims to widen farewells for vets

As a member of the Old Guard, the U.S. Army’s official ceremonial unit, U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., helped provide fitting farewells for people being buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

But the veterans’ send-offs, he discovered, aren’t always equal. Typically, they all are accompanied by a bugle, an honor guard and a rifle volley. Caissons, color guards and military bands, on the other hand, accompany only former officers and those killed in action.

In some instances, Cotton maintains, that standard is too narrow. His Full Military Honors Act of 2018 aims to broaden it.

“The rank of a Medal of Honor recipient or POW should not be the final measure of their service to this country. Instead, their courageous actions and the sacrifices they made should be enough to prove their dedication, and their funeral honors must reflect the same,” Cotton said in a news release. “Passage of this bill will show the families of the deceased and members of our military that the United States will always honor its veterans appropriately for their service.”

The measure has the support of the numerous organizations, including the American Legion and the National League of POW/MIA Families.

Cotton introduced his bill Sept. 27. Similar legislation has been filed in the House.