Posted on 12/26/2006 8:12:00 PM PST by NotJustAnotherPrettyFace
OLD (1997 version in post 33):
(b) A person referred to in subsection (a) is any of the following:
(1) A person who has been convicted of a Federal capital crime for which the person was sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
(2) A person who has been convicted of a State capital crime for which the person was sentenced to death or life imprisonment without parole.
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NEW Version:
For purposes of this section:
(1) The term "Federal capital crime" means an offense under Federal law for which the death penalty or life imprisonment may be imposed.
(2) The term "State capital crime" means, under State law, the willful, deliberate, or premeditated unlawful killing of another human being for which the death penalty or life imprisonment without parole may be imposed.
http://uscode.house.gov/uscode-cgi/fastweb.exe?getdoc+uscview+t37t40+620+1++%28%29%20%20AND%20%28%2838%29%20ADJ%20USC%29%3ACITE%20AND%20%28USC%20w%2F10%20%282411%29%29%3ACITE%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20
(you can look thru the amendment dates near the bottom of the linked page......I can't see anything newer than 2002)
You can't be serious. Your family members, and mine, who are in Arlington are there because of their service, and presumably because they chose to be. Surely you would not remove them from their chosen spot to make a political statement about someone who will barely be remembered at that time in the future.
And if "generations" are involved, the exhumation orders will be very time-consuming, even if you have standing to obtain them. :)
You have to watch those Waynes very closely.
Actually, I am quite series. ;) Although the paperwork may kill me.
My mother would haunt me if I took her out. It's where she and my father wanted to be, and I do not have the right to change that.
ping
Patriotic family, but poor. That would be us. Told my wife to bury me at Arlington, if space is still available.
OUT!
You have to have had some real rank, at this point, to get an actual grave, but they have plenty of space to build more columbaria, if you don't mind being cremated (I personally prefer it).
What are the rules vis. rank now?
Sorry, it looks like I misspoke, upon checking the rules at the Military.com site; as long as you were retired from the service, there is no rank requirement. If you were just in for a few years, (like my husband - enlisted, not career) you'll need to think cremation.
Here's the list for ground burial (I omitted the part that says you're eligible if you were the President of the United States, or served on the Supreme Court, or served above a certain Executive level in the government, so my apologies if you are any of those).
"The following eligibility requirements for ground burial in Arlington National Cemetery. The last period of active duty of former members of the Armed Forces must have ended honorably. Interment may be casketed or cremated remains.
Any active duty member of the Armed Forces (except those members serving on active duty for training only).
Any veteran who is retired from active military service with the Armed Forces.
Any veteran who is retired from the Reserves is eligible upon reaching age 60 and drawing retired pay; and who served a period of active duty (other than for training).
Any former member of the Armed Forces separated honorably prior to October 1, 1949 for medical reasons and who was rated at 30% or greater disabled effective on the day of discharge.
Any former member of the Armed Forces who has been awarded one of the following decorations:
Medal of Honor
Distinguished Service Cross (Navy Cross or Air Force Cross)
Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart "
Oh, and your wife won't be above you unless she dies after you, of course. My mother died first, so she's at the very back of the columbarium niche; my father will be by the front door of it when his time comes (talk about organized - he already has his urn, which matches hers, in his closet).
Grandma had grandpa cremated, and stuck in the niche - still not sure why. Guess that will do.
A lot of people I know from that generation have chosen cremation. The reason, I'm guessing, is borne out of the fact that they all lived through the Great Depression and learned frugality which permeates everything they do... including burial. Cremation is the cheaper way to go.
For me, it's more of a question of efficiency. Slow decay in the ground is just.... nasty, to me. Just my own opinion, not a criticism of anyone who does it.
Burial at Arlington is free, either way.
I believe it is in ANY national cemetery, so even if Arlington fills up before you're ready, you'll be okay.
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