Last year for Memorial Day, I celebrated the life of Staff Sergeant Ryan Patman Means who lost his best friend on 9/11, joined the U.S. Army, received his Green Beret and served his country in Iraq until cancer cut his life tragically short two years ago – just days after the birth of his second daughter in a hospital across the street from where he was being treated for bile duct…

Continue

As the 10^thanniversary of 9/11 hovers around us all this week, it’s difficult for those of us who didn’t suffer the direct hit – whether in human loss or up-close trauma – to think about how we can pay tribute to those who died, to those who saved, and to those who were left behind to endure their grief.

 

Never before had our country been so publically bombarded with every moment of that horrific tragedy, shown over and over on televisions that day and on…

Continue

I was raised in a family where military service was praised and celebrated as part of our history. My maternal grandfather, a general practice physician, served in the South Pacific during World War II and my father spent several tours in the Navy, one during the…

Continue

On Memorial Day, as we honor brave men and women who have served their country, we also remember the families left to grieve.

 

On Legacy.com and LegacyConnect, we are featuring tributes to armed forces veterans. And, as always, you'll also find resources to help you cope with the…

Continue

Ryan Means had dreamed of joining the Army since the age of six, but it was not until his childhood playmate and best buddy Adam White was killed in the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers that he was mobilized into action. The despair of riding his bike around New York City, posting flyers, checking in with hospitals, and, finally, accepting that Adam was dead were…

Continue

Who is eligible for a national cemetery funeral or burial?

Q. A relative’s husband, a retired officer in the Armed Forces, just died and will be buried in Arlington National Cemetery. I was surprised. I thought only Medal of Honor winners and other heroes are buried in Arlington. What are the eligibility requirements?



A. There are actually 130 national cemeteries in the United States where free burial benefits include a…

Continue

What is a death certificate—and why do loved ones need it?



A death certificate is the official record of the death of an individual and includes the dates of birth and death, gender, place of residence, and location and cause of death. It is prepared by the county health department, recorded in the county and maintained by county or state offices.



Why is it needed?



Other than simply recording the death, why do loved ones need it? Well, the agent of… Continue

When it comes to doing the right thing, even I make mistakes. This week, I accompanied my daughter to a funeral at Arlington National Cemetery. The funeral was a beautiful tribute to her friend’s dad and extremely memorable, in more ways than one.



The two of us did plan; what to wear, where to make a donation, and what time we should leave. Since we live in the Washington, DC metro area and rush hour traffic is terrible, my daughter suggested we leave at 7 AM and take the…

Continue

Q. What’s the difference between a funeral and a memorial service? I plan to attend a memorial service for an old college classmate, but I’ve never been to one before. What should I expect?



A. Memorial services have become more and more common in this country, and in a way are a sign of the times. A memorial service is held without the remains present. Perhaps there are no remains, as in the case of some 9/11 victims or soldiers killed in combat. Or the…

Continue