First soldier buried under new rules

[unhappycamper]

Spc. Joseph M. Hernandez's son Jacob, 2, is given a flag at his father's burial in Arlington National Cemetery. He is the first soldier buried at Arlington under the Army's new funeral honors policy for enlisted soliders. Hernandez was killed in Afghanistan.


First soldier buried under new rules
By Tony Lombardo - Staff writer
Posted : Monday Jan 26, 2009 15:07:06 EST

Spc. Joseph M. Hernandez was buried Jan. 23 with the distinction of being the first junior enlisted soldier eligible for a full-honors funeral at Arlington National Cemetery.

But due to a high number of scheduled funerals at Arlington that day, and the family’s desire not to postpone the service, not every element of full honors was presented.

Full honors status adds an escort platoon with colors team, a band element and a horse-drawn caisson to burial services at Arlington. A standard military service includes a chaplain, a bugler, pallbearers and a firing party.

Until Jan. 1, only officers, Medal of Honor recipients and enlisted members who reached a rank of E-9 could receive full honors options. But Army Secretary Pete Geren changed the policy in December, opening the full-honors burial service to all eligible enlisted soldiers.

Hernandez, 24, of Hammond, Ind., and two other soldiers were killed by a roadside bomb while on patrol in Jaldak, Afghanistan, on Jan. 9. The soldiers were with 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, of Hohenfels, Germany.


Rest of article at: http://armytimes.com/news/2009/01/army_fullhonors_012609w/%2e