SSGT, to be buried at Arlington. The Right Thing To Do? I Think So.

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:24:27 -0400

After I read this, I got a little choked up. It's a shame to have to fight your way into Arlington National Cemetery. But, now, that has changed. I want to get opinions on this topic. Should Army Secretary John McHugh, have changed his mind? Do you think that SSG Florich's father, Stephen, a former Army Major and Green Beret had some pull, or called in any favors ? Would this have happened if the father had no prior service?

The gist of the controversy, such as it is, revolves around the fact that SSG Florich was on training with the National Guard, not the regular army, and it wasn't part of a train up for deployment. Had he been on Federal Orders, and the exact same thing happened, he would be eligible for Arlington Internment, but because he was on state orders, he is not.
It's hard for me to see how the orders really make that much of a difference, and even more hard to reconcile that basically everyone else on the bird can be buried there, and yet he can not. His father appeared on FoxNews to discuss it:
Well, now Secretary of the Army McHugh has approved the exception:

The rare exception announced by Army The gist of the controversy, such as it is, revolves around the fact that SSG Florich was on training with the National Guard, not the regular army, and it wasn't part of a train up for deployment. Had he been on Federal Orders, and the exact same thing happened, he would be eligible for Arlington Internment, but because he was on state orders, he is not.
It's hard for me to see how the orders really make that much of a difference, and even more hard to reconcile that basically everyone else on the bird can be buried there, and yet he can not. His father appeared on FoxNews to discuss it:
Well, now Secretary of the Army McHugh has approved the exception:

The rare exception announced by Army Secretary John McHugh means Staff Sgt. Thomas Florich, 26, who was among four guardsmen and seven Marines killed when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed March 10 off of Pensacola, Fla., will rest for eternity in the elite military graveyard. The military had previously said that Florich was not eligible for the distinction because he was not considered to have been on active duty when he died. But Friday's reversal brought joy and pride to Florich's family, including his father, Stephen, a former Army major and Green Beret. John McHugh means Staff Sgt. Thomas Florich, 26, who was among four guardsmen and seven Marines killed when their Black Hawk helicopter crashed March 10 off of Pensacola, Fla., will rest for eternity in the elite military graveyard. The military had previously said that Florich was not eligible for the distinction because he was not considered to have been on active duty when he died. But Friday's reversal brought joy and pride to Florich's family, including his father, Stephen, a former Army major and Green Beret.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:31 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:31:47 -0400

Like everything else, exceptions to policy can be made under certain circumstances. I understand the reasons for the policy currently in effect at Arlington, and in most cases I would hold firm to that policy, given the spacial limitations at Arlington. However, this is one of those gray-area circumstances. Is it right to inter with honor several others who perished in this same crash in this Field of Honor, but deny one because of his orders status? It would be easier to decline a group of Soldiers who had perished who fell into the same category, but when it's a single Soldier, it becomes a far more vexing question. Yes, I believe this is an acceptable outcome.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 17 at 2015 10:37 PM

PO1 John Miller — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:37:11 -0400

If Navy ships can be pulled off of operations/deployment workups to perform burials at sea for people who never served but have a relative who's a high ranking politician, then this SSG from the National Guard can be buried in Arlington. I don't think his Father invoked any pull.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:46 PM

Capt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:46:07 -0400

I think it was just the right thing to do.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Jun 17 at 2015 10:58 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:58:19 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, some of the rationale I read about was the increasingly active roles played by the Guard and Reserve. With the diminution of the active armed forces, the active role of the Guard and Reserve will only increase.
With that in mind, this action seems appropriate and the further review of the eligibility criteria also seems like the right thing to do.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 17 at 2015 10:59 PM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:59:25 -0400

Yes I totally agree. This was the right decision.

Response by LCpl Mark Lefler made Jun 17 at 2015 10:59 PM

LCpl Mark Lefler — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 22:59:47 -0400

Never begrudge someone the burial they deserve.

Response by Capt Mark Strobl made Jun 17 at 2015 11:03 PM

Capt Mark Strobl — Wed, 17 Jun 2015 23:03:22 -0400

While exception was made to the letter of the law. The spirit of the law was certainly upheld. If SSgt Florich took my spot at Arlington, so be it. I can thank him for helping to train my fellow Marines in my next life. Glad to see him rest among his brothers.

Response by SSG Roger Ayscue made Jun 18 at 2015 12:03 AM

SSG Roger Ayscue — Thu, 18 Jun 2015 00:03:38 -0400

Yes, Without a shadow of a doubt. To earn that one last bit of Honor.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2018 11:28 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 23:28:08 -0400

I don't see why not if he wore the uniform. I don't know much about the National Guard, but it is still the military.

Arlington National Cemetery has a long history of allowing all family members including adult children of those families to be buried there. That is part of the reason why there are very few "full body" burials and most people's cremains can only be buried in the many Columbariums there or if the space in the ground. I've been researching that cemetery for many years and am surprised at the volume of non-military people buried there. I don't think politicians should have any right to be buried in ANC if they had no military service. After all it's a cemetery owned by the Army not Congress. They used to bury them in Congressional Cemetery in DC. Bury them there or a private cemetery. They can afford it.

Personally ANC isn't all that great anymore. They've let that place go to hell quickly with the poor landscaping work and marsh-like grounds. The only areas they concentrate on are close to the Visitor's Center. Everything in the back is like walking through a swamp and full of mosquitoes. I would think twice before burying anybody ANC. It's not what it used to be and the management is very bad. The glamour days of ANC are over. The veteran/state cemeteries are nicer. Besides I think the waiting time is shorter for them. It's not worth the wait for ANC in my opinion.

Photos below: A photo taken at ANC back in 2016 with the brown grass that looks like dirt. It was hot that day, but why all the brown grass? The trees are green. Poor landscaping. Usually that time of year there are at least some patches of green. Second picture is near the Administrative Building which isn't far from the Visitor's Center. This one was taken the same year in May. Much greener. This was at my mother's funeral. The chaplain kept referring to my mother with the wrong name. Disorganized or untrained? At my father's funeral about ten years before the assistant from the cemetery was rushing us to get to his next job. The ceremonies themselves are good, it's just the cemetery personnel are a disgrace and show dishonor to the families.

That rule they have that was to prevent SSG Florich from being buried at ANC is stupid. If those congressional people can be buried there then he should have the right too. After all, those non-military congressman haven't done anything heroic in their lives. I vote up for SSG Florich and down for anybody in congress who isn't a veteran. At least ANC doesn't make families wait for active duty burials. The long wait for retirees is understandable.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 24 at 2018 11:37 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 24 Apr 2018 23:37:12 -0400

I didn't realize how old this thread is.

Response by MSG John Duchesneau made Apr 25 at 2018 12:26 AM

MSG John Duchesneau — Wed, 25 Apr 2018 00:26:22 -0400

Up until about 20 years ago just about anyone who wanted to be buried in Arlington got buried there. While some have the impression that only those who are Medal of Honor recipients, killed in action or have "long and distinguished" careers get buried in Arlington the bulk of the burials there are, effectively, "regular Joes" without high rank or rare decorations. (ie. Served a hitch in the service, usually in wartime, got out, lived a "normal" life and died.)
The little known fact is that before the end of World War II the Army actually encouraged families to have their deceased loved ones buried at Arlington or one of the other two "major" National Cemeteries - St. Louis and San Francisco. Why? To save on the expense of shipping the remains to the deceased's hometown. (I know this because I saw a letter to the family of a soldier who died in the Philippines c. 1905 extolling the advantages of being buried in Arlington.
The problem began when they realized that they were running out of space - so they had to make the "entry" requirement tougher, which, of course, left some people out. However, since we live in a democracy, if you can get a Congressman or Senator to intervene on your behalf - you can get almost anything done.
The reality is that Arlington will run out of room in the next 20 to 30 years. (Maybe sooner.) That will necessitate starting another premier National Cemetery. The sooner they get working on it - the better.