The Beverly National Cemetery in New Jersey is one of many cemeteries around the country that is reserved exclusively for veterans and their spouses.
The flag for which you made the beautiful case was used at my maternal grandfather’s funeral in 1963. It was draped over the coffin as it was being taken from the funeral home to the grave site. After a service at the grave site, in Beverly National Cemetery soldiers fired a three round volley in honor of his service. The soldiers then removed the flag, folded it and placed a spent shell casing from the salute inside the folds and presented the flag to my grandmother.
My grandfather was born in 1877. He served in the Army during the Spanish/American War 1898-1899. After his discharge he began a career as a mailman. In 1918 he enlisted in the U.S Navy where he served during World War I. Upon his discharge from the Navy he resumed his career as a mailman which he continued until his retirement. In December 1941 he attempted to re-enlist in the armed forces but was turned down due to his age. He was 64 at that time. He died at the age of 86 in 1963.
The flag is now proudly displayed in our home’s office flanked by the service photos of my father who served in the U.S. Navy during WWII and my father-in-law who served in the U.S. Army in World War II.
Both of my sisters send their thanks, along with my own, that our beloved grandfather’s memorial flag can now be displayed so beautifully and passed onto future generations.
– Harry Barnett