Nolan Urges Pentagon to Restore Cuts to Military Funerals Honors Program

(DULUTH, MN) – U.S. Rep. Rick Nolan today strongly urged Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel and Army Secretary John McHugh to immediately restore $21 million in Fiscal Year 2015 cuts in federal funds that go to provide full military honors at veterans’ funerals throughout the nation.

“Recently, I was contacted by Captain John Marshall of the Duluth Honor Guard in Duluth, Minnesota, and by other military veterans in the 8th Congressional District, who are alarmed that the Department of Defense, and specifically the Department of the Army, has cut substantial funds from this program,” Nolan said in a letter delivered today.

Nolan was referring to a 44% cut for the Army National Guard Military Funeral Honors program.  These funds are intended to offset the cost of the salary and travel expenses incurred by Honor Guards who play “Taps” and provide a rifle salute and an American Flag to families at veterans’ funerals.

“To those brave patriots who have put their lives on the line for our country, whether they lose their life in battle, in subsequent illness, or in the dignity of old age, we owe more than can ever be repaid. The very least we can do is express our solemn gratitude for their ultimate dedication to our great nation by providing a proper final salute,” Nolan added.

“These cuts were not apparent to Congress in the line items highlighted in the FY 2015 Defense Appropriations bill, which I supported, and which provided a $4.1 billion increase from the FY 2014 enacted level in overall funding for the Department of Defense,” Nolan pointed out.

“Certainly in a budget the size of the Defense Department, this relatively small amount of money - $21 million – can be reallocated. I urge you to reinstate funding for this program at the earliest possible date, and look forward to your response.”